HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2025-11-12 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
November 12, 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
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 5:32 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 two
matters: real property negotiations regarding the former Morro Elementary
School site and the City Manager recruitment. No reportable action was taken
pursuant to the Brown Act.
3.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Mayor W ixom announced Item 8.b., the Morro Creek Stabilization Project, was
being pulled from the agenda and will be discussed at a Special Meeting next
week, and that public comment on this item would be taken during general Public
Comment.
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
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b. Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
c. Offshore Wind Energy
d. Morro Elementary School
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
None.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, provided a Monday Night Dinner update and
announced the upcoming Annual Thanksgiving Dinner.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, announced the Recreation & Parks Commission will
discuss the Events Policy at its November 20th Meeting, commented on her
experience observing bicyclists safely cross at Main and Highway 41 which
would not have happened with a roundabout, and requested a PEG Fund status
update.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, expressed concern about microplastics, pollution
and offshore wind.
Jeremiah O'Brien, Morro Bay, commented in support of the Morro Creek
stabilization project and asked the City keep the commercial fishermen informed
during the project.
Bill Blue, President of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen's Organization,
strongly supported the Morro Creek restoration project as continued access to
the gear storage was imperative and offered to be a point of contact if and when
construction takes place.
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.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on Item 6.e., noting paving needs on
Pacific Street and Shasta Avenue. Regarding Item 6.f, she asked if the City
plans to amend policies in order to provide water service outside the city limits.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom pulled Item 6.b. Council Member Luffee pulled Items 6.e. and 6.f.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Eckles
Approve all items on Consent, except Items 6.b, 6.e and 6.f, as submitted.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, Council
Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
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CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.a Approval of Minutes
Approve as submitted.
a. October 14, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
b. October 21, 2025 - Special Joint Council and CFAC Meeting
c. October 28, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
6.b Consideration of forming Council Sub-committee regarding Examining the
feasibility of shared Fire and EMS services with LOCSD titled the "Shared
Fire Services subcommittee"
Interim City Manager Lueker requested the Council nominate two members to
participate on this new subcommittee. Mayor Wixom offered to serve and invited
Council Member Eckles to join her. Council Member Landrum nominated the
Mayor and Council Member Eckles to serve on the subcommittee and Council
Member Luffee added his support.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Establish a Council sub-committee consisting of Mayor Wixom and Council
Member Eckles regarding the Letter of Interest received from the Los Osos CSD
regarding examining the feasibility of shared Fire and EMS services. If a sub-
committee is established, pursuant to Council Policies Section 3.13, a defined
purpose, parameters, and anticipated duration of the sub-committee should be
established.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.c Approval of Fiscal Year 2024-25 Year-End Budget Adjustments
Adopt Resolution No. 57-25 approving FY 2024-25 Year-End Budget
Adjustments.
6.d First Quarter Investment Report (period ending September 30, 2025) for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26
Receive the attached First Quarter Investment Report (period ending September
30, 2025) for FY 2025-26.
6.e Authorize a Professional Services Agreement with Pavement Engineering,
Inc. for Pavement Evaluation and Design Services for the 2026 Pavement
Rehabilitation Project
Staff responded to Council inquiries and questions raised during public comment.
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Motion by Council Member Luffee
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with
Pavement Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $343,334.00 for Pavement
Evaluation and Design Services for the 2026 Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.f Adopt Resolution Nos. 55-25 and 56-25 for Grant Applications for Potential
Rancho Colina Utilities Consolidation
Staff responded to questions related to potential annexation of the property,
noting consideration and analysis would come at a later stage in the project.
Motion by Council Member Luffee
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Adopt Resolution Nos. 55-25 and 56-25 for the Clean Water State Revolving
Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Grant
Applications for the Rancho Colina Consolidation Evaluation Projects. These
resolutions only modify previously approved City Council Resolution Nos. 51-23
and 52-23.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.g Ordinance No. 673, repealing and reenacting multiple chapters of Title 14
(Buildings and Construction) of the MBMC to incorporate the 2025
California Building Standards Code, including the 2025 Wildland-Urban
Interface Code and related local amendments,
Adopt Ordinance No. 673: “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro
Bay, California, repealing, amending and reenacting Chapters 14.01 – 14.12 of
Title 14 (Buildings and Construction) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code, thereby
adopting by reference and amending the 2025 California Building Code (Volumes
1 and 2), Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Historical
Building, Fire, Existing Building, Green Building, Administrative, and Reference
Standards Codes, the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, the 1997
Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Building Code, and the 2025
Wildland-Urban Interface Code.”
6.h Approval of Contract with San Luis Obispo County for Animal Care and
Control Services for FY 2025/26 through FY 2029/30 and adoption of
Resolution No. 58-25 Authorizing the Related Budget Amendment
Authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year contract with the County of
San Luis Obispo, for the continued provision of Animal Care and Control
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Services from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2030 and adopt Resolution No. 58-25
amending the Operating Budget to the full contract amount for FY 2025/26.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
7.a Review and Adopt Draft Funding Recommendations for the 2026
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment for Item 7.a.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented in support of staff's
recommendation and appreciated this year's focus on housing needs.
End of public comment.
Mayor closed the public hearing.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Conduct a public hearing to review and adopt Resolution No. 59-25 approving
draft funding recommendations for the 2026 Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funds and forward recommendations to the San Luis Obispo
(SLO) County Board of Supervisors for inclusion with the other draft funding
requests from the Urban County Consortium. The funding recommendation is for
two of the three applications received, both from Community Action Partnership
of San Luis Obispo County, Inc. (CAPSLO) for a total estimated funding
allocation of $64,262. Additionally, staff recommends the City Council authorize
the City Manager to make pro rata adjustments to the allocation based on the
final funding amount from SLO County based on the approval of the Federal
budget and HUD’s final grant amount to the County.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
8.a Reinstate of an Assistant City Manager to Prioritize and Manage Economic
Development Efforts and Other Duties
Interim City Manager Lueker presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
Jim Gross, Morro Bay, appreciated the report and offered his support as
the City moves forward to define the role of the Assistant City Manager
and economic development goals.
Bob Fowler, Member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
and Business Advisory Committee, offered the Chamber's support and
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suggested the new city manager have a role in defining economic
development for our city and selecting the person to lead those efforts.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, strongly
supported the City's economic development efforts, noting the Chamber
stands ready to be a strategic partner.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, questioned the timing and suggested waiting
until the new city manager is on board.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, agreed it was not time to hire an Assistant
Manager and urged the City to wait until the new city manager was on
board and gets a feel for the organization.
End of public comment.
Following discussion, there was consensus to pause until the permanent city
manager has an opportunity to audit the organization's integrity and efficiency
then provide recommendations to Council regarding economic development
policies and goals, revenue generation ideas, and alternatives to lead those
efforts. Mayor Wixom directed the Clerk to add a follow-up item to the agenda
planning track (estimated timeframe more than 90 days, less than 9 months).
8.b Declaration of Emergency and Authorize Actions required for the Morro
Creek Stabilization Project
This item was pulled from the agenda and a special meeting will be held the
week of November 17th to address this issue.
8.c Discussion of Potential Ordinance Framework for Establishing Local
Business Regulations for Massage Establishments and Technicians
The Council took a brief recess at 7:14 p.m. and reconvened at 7:23 p.m. with all
members present.
Police Chief Watkins presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.c.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, appreciated the proposed
ordinance, urged enforcement of sign regulations requiring neon signs to
be turned off at night, and suggested hours of operation be limited.
Susan Stewart, Morro Bay business owner, appreciated the
recommendations and suggestions, reminding staff of the importance of
informing affected business owners.
End of public comment.
Following Council discussion, there was consensus to return with an ordinance
that, in addition to what was presented, addressed the number of establishments
and proximity to each other. Individual comments suggested regulations related
to window coverings that require visibility from the street into the lobby during
business hours.
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Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
Direct staff regarding the potential adoption of an Ordinance establishing local
business regulations specific to massage establishments and technicians with
comments that have been made tonight.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Landrum requested and received support for a status report on the
Veterans Hall A/V project be presented to PWAB.
Council Member Landrum requested a conversation regarding the City's response to the
gentleman who presented concerns about arsenic contamination at the power plant.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk