HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2025-10-14 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
October 14, 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 on Monday,
October 13, to discuss two real property matters and one potential litigation
matter. No reportable action was taken under the Brown Act for that meeting.
The Council also met in closed session on Tuesday, October 14, to discuss the
City Manager recruitment and no reportable action was taken under the Brown
Act.
3.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations
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)
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c. Offshore Wind Energy
d. Morro Elementary School
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the Morro Bay 4-H Club shared information regarding their programs
in honor of National 4-H Week. For more information, contact
morrobay4hclub@yahoo.com.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, encouraged residents to prepare in advance for
weather-related events.
Jeff Heller, Morro Bay, appreciated the work of the Council and City staff.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay resident and member of REACT Alliance, announced
an upcoming event on Saturday, October 25, from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. at Shindig in
San Luis Obispo.
Garry Johnson, Morro Bay, acknowledged visitors place a burden on City
services, hoped for more information regarding paid parking at the Rock and was
not supportive of paid parking at the boat ramp or charging Morro Bay residents
a fee for parking.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, announced SLOCOG was hosting a community
forum regarding the Climate Resiliency Plan on Oct 22, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at
the Nazarene Church in Los Osos. She also asked whether the contractor would
be held responsible for costs associated with the City's response to a recent
broken water line.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested all department heads be seated in the front
of the room.
Cal Myers, Morro Bay, clarified the movie night being planned by Friends of the
Morro Bay Harbor Dept will be held on Thursday before the Lighted Boat Parade.
Katie Schlott, Morro Bay, thanked City for taking the Morro Elementary
negotiations seriously.
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 announced Item 6.f. is being pulled from the agenda and moved to the
next meeting.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for items on the Consent Agenda.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, expressed concern regarding Item 6.g and hoped the
Council would set parameters on those discussions.
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End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom pulled Item 6.g. Council Member Luffee pulled Item 6.c.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Eckles
Approve Consent Agenda items except 6.c, 6.f and 6.g 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. September 23, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
b. September 23, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
c. September 23, 2025 - Special Meeting
6.b Approval of Proclamations
Approve as submitted.
a. Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
6.c Type 3 Fire Engine Vehicle Replacement
Fire Chief McCrain responded to Council questions regarding funding for the
Type 3 replacement vehicle.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Authorize the Fire Chief to sign a purchase agreement in the amount of
$669,101.49 for a Pierce Type 3 Wildland Fire Engine to replace Engine 5371
through South Coast Fire Equipment using a Sourcewell Cooperative purchasing
agreement.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.d Adoption of Resolution No. 52-25 Authorizing the City of Morro Bay to
Enter into a Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Surrendered and Abandoned Vessel
Exchange Grant Contract and Related Budget Amendment
Adopt Resolution No. 52-25 authorizing the Harbor Business Manager to execute
and act as the City’s agent for the attached FY 2025-26 Surrendered and
Abandoned Vessel Exchange Grant (SAVE) Agreement #C25S0605 with the
State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and
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Waterways (DBW) for $15,750.00 for funding to remove abandoned/surrendered
vessels and hazards to navigation, and authorizing the related budget
amendment.
6.e Adoption of Resolution No. 53-25 Authorizing the City of Morro Bay to
Enter Into a Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Boating Safety and Enforcement
Equipment Grant Contract and Related Budget Amendment
Adopt Resolution No. 53-25, authorizing the Harbor Business Manger to execute
and act as the City’s agent for the attached FY 2025-26 Boating Safety and
Enforcement Equipment Grant (BSEE) Agreement # C25L0604 with the State of
California Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and
Waterways (DBW) in the amount of $32,689.96 to purchase two replacement
transom assemblies and two outdrives, and authorizing the related budget
amendment.
6.f Determination of Public Convenience or Necessity for ABC License - 640
Quintana Road, Morro Bay Cigarettes, Inc.
This item was pulled from the agenda.
6.g Letter of Interest from LOCSD regarding shared fire protection and
emergency medical services
Fire Chief McCrain responded to Council inquiries regarding shared fire
protection and emergency medical services for LOCSD. There was Council
support for creating a subcommittee to participate in the analysis of obligations
involved in providing shared services and how that might impact the level of
service for our community.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Authorize City staff to prepare a response to the letter of interest exploring
shared fire and EMS services.
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
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
8.a Advisory Board Interviews and Citizens Oversight/Finance Advisory
Committee Appointment
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a; seeing none, the public
comment period was closed.
Michael Jones was unable to attend interviews due to illness and, given two
more seats come available February 1, 2026, the Council agreed to hold his
application open for the annual recruitment.
Mayor Wixom invited Mr. Branin forward to introduce himself.
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Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Appoint Barry Branin to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the Citizens
Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee (“CFAC”) for two years and carry forward
the applicant that was unable to attend tonight.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
8.b Adopt Resolution No. 54-25 revising the City of Morro Bay Community
Grant Policy
Interim City Manager Lueker presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, expressed
concern the proposed policy changes disproportionately burden smaller
organizations.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, opined the process was too formal and overly
burdensome.
End of public comment.
Following individual comments and discussion, there was Council consensus to
rescind the 2019 Community Grants Policy and reevaluate opportunities to
support local non-profit groups by way of partnership agreements and event fee
waivers.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Rescind Resolution No. 67-19.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
8.c Short-Term Rental Ordinance Implementation - Quarterly Update
Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 8.c.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, suggested the STR ordinance be amended to
eliminate the grandfather clause or impose a 3-to-5-year limit.
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Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, supported limiting terms and
requested fire pits be phased out.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, supported removing the grandfather clause,
suggested unhosted hotels be required to comply with the STR
ordinance, opposed issuance of new permits except for homeshares, and
supported increased fines for non-compliance.
Jeff Heller, Morro Bay, hoped for a reduction in the number of licenses
and supported increased fines for non-compliance. He suggested
residents be given authority to enforce rules and rescind licenses, offering
the Palm Springs ordinance as a good example to follow.
Maggie Juren, Beach N Bay Getaways & U Relax Vacation Rentals,
offered the STR permitting process was time consuming but effective,
and urged the Council to not reduce the number of permits issued as
there will be attrition due to non-transference of permit upon sale. She
noted almost all licensed STRs would not convert to full home rentals and
the housing shortage is largely due to second homes. She requested
Council allow the current regulations time to achieve their intended
purpose.
End of public comment.
The Council directed staff to return with an ordinance increasing fine amounts as
allowed by SB 60 and reconsider the issuance of homeshare permits in January.
The Council took a brief recess at 7:45 p.m. and reconvened at 7:56 p.m. with all
members present.
8.d Discussion and Request for Direction Regarding Potential to Establish
Local Campaign Finance Contribution Limits
City Attorney Stack presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.d; seeing none, the public
comment period was closed.
Following comments and discussion, there was Council consensus to direct staff
to bring back an ordinance establishing a $500 campaign contribution limit with
alternatives for enforcement.
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Landrum requested the list of pending future agenda items be listed at
the bottom of the agenda. Ms. Lueker offered to send it to Council on a monthly or bi-
monthly basis.
With the economic vitality goal in mind, Council Member Landrum requested discussion
of how to create policies (vacancy tax or other mechanism) to encourage owners of
vacant property to put businesses in them and address blight (vacant commercial
properties at the two entrances to Morro Bay and the Vistra property were listed as
examples). Also, in light of discussion on STRs, wished to explore a possible tax on
secondary homes. Lastly, she hoped to find a way to encourage property owners along
the Embarcadero to use vacant property for parking rather than taking steps to
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implement paid parking at the Rock, and requested an update on the camping ordinance
and massage business regulations.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk