HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2025-12-09 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
December 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 two
real property negotiations matters involving former wastewater treatment plant
and the former Morro Elementary site. No reportable action pursuant to the
Brown Act was taken in closed session.
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)
c. Offshore Wind Energy
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d. Morro Elementary School
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Judy Salamacha, Morro Bay resident and member of the Chamber of
Commerce, announced upcoming Chamber events.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, provided an update on the successful transfer of the
Community Thanksgiving Dinner from the Lion's Club to the Morro Bay Police
Department Volunteers and acknowledged another successful Monday Night
Dinner.
Tom Kirschner spoke on behalf of Bayshore Homeowners' Association regarding
the seagull depredation permit request, sharing positive results they've had with
this program.
Lynda Merrill, Morro Bay, spoke on behalf of Alice Kolb, thanking the Fire
Department for responding to the fire at their medical building. She also hoped
Item 6.b would be pulled for discussion.
Dina Lundquist, Chamber of Commerce, invited the community to the Shop, Sip
& Stroll event this Friday evening.
Susan Stewart, Morro Bay business owner and member of the Chamber's
Business Advocacy Committee, offered her thanks for the installation of holiday
decorations and tree lights.
D'Arcy Castro, Friends of Morro Elementary, invited community members to a
screening of the Botso Koresheli documentary at the Bay Theatre, Monday,
December 22nd. Visit friendsofmorroelementary.org to purchase tickets
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, announced she attended a meeting where it was
revealed Clean Energy Terminals had paused private sector offshore wind
development due to unprecedented uncertainties.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, urged the City to restore the Channel 20 broadcast.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, requested the City restore Channel 20 broadcast
of City meetings.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested a report on the Veterans Hall A/V
improvement project.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, suggested residents use Zoom to watch City meetings
and provide public comment. She also encouraged residents to purchase tickets
in advance for the Botso Koresheli film.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to questions related to the Veterans Hall audio/visual system and
Channel 20 concerns.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
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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.
Lynda Merrill, Morro Bay, suggested the Council select members willing to
explore this alternative energy source to participate on the Offshore Wind
Subcommittee.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, wished to confirm Items 6.j and 6.k were only time
extensions, not budget amendments; requested budget meetings be held in the
evenings; suggested liaison assignments to advisory bodies be rotated each
year; urged Council not to approve Item 6.h; and suggested there were less
expensive alternatives than the emergency approach to Morro Creek bank
stabilization.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, asked why the WRF Quarterly Report was on the
Consent Agenda.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, offered alternatives to stabilize Morro Creek.
Bev Shaw, Morro Bay, addressed Item 6.b, suggesting Council consider rotating
membership of subcommittees.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, supported continuity of existing subcommittees for
advancement of City goals as set by community members' and voters' intent.
Shirley Fraser, Morro Bay, requested support for Planning Commission
amendment to the Zoning Code as presented in Business Item 8.a, including
bluff height restrictions previously in the Beach Street Specific Plan.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to questions regarding Item 6.i.
Council Member Eckles pulled Item 6.f. Council Member Edwards pulled Item 6.b.
Council Member Landrum pulled Items 6.c and 6.h.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda items 6.a, 6.d., 6.e, 6.g, and 6.i through 6.k, 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. October 28, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
b. November 12, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
c. November 12, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
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d. November 14, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
e. November 15, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
f. November 18, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
g. November 24, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
6.b Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore; Appointment of Representatives on
Discretionary Boards; approval of Council Liaison Assignments and
various Council Sub-Committees for 2026
Following discussion, the list of Council appointments, liaison assignments and
subcommittees was approved as submitted.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Appoint Council Member Jeff Eckles as Mayor Pro Tempore for calendar year
2026; confirm representatives to serve on the various County or Regional
Discretionary Boards; and approve Council Liaison Assignments and Council
Sub-Committees for calendar year 2026 as shown on the attached appointment
list.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.c Adoption of Resolution No. 61-25 Establishing the 2026 City Council
Meeting Calendar and Budget Development Schedule
There was Council consensus to hold CFAC and Council budget meetings in the
evening.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 61-25 approving the 2026 City Council Meeting Calendar
and Budget Development Schedule.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.d Approval of Final Map for Tract 2859 (2783 Coral Avenue)
Adopt Resolution No. 62-25:
1. Approving the Final Map for Tract 2859 (2783 Coral Avenue);
2. Authorizing the Public Works Director and City Engineer to execute a
Subdivision Improvement Agreement in a form subject to the approval of
the City Attorney; and
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3. Directing staff to seek expansion of the existing Cloisters Assessment
District incorporating the newly created lots or providing equivalent
funding assessment mechanism prior to issuance of building permits.
6.e Fiscal Year 2026 Quarter 1 Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Program
Quarterly Report
Receive and file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Quarter 1 Report for the period July
through September 2025 for the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) Program.
6.f Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Status Report on Receipt and Use of Development
Impact Fees (Annual Report and Five-Year Findings re Unexpended Funds)
Council Member Eckles shared information he received from staff in response to
his own and other community members' inquiries.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 63-25 accepting the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 status report
on receipt and use of Development Impact Fees.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.g Authorization for Attendance and Award Acceptance for the CMANC
Annual Washington, D.C., "Washington Week" Conference
Accept grant of $10,000 from the Central Coast Joint Cable/Fisheries Liaison
Committee to be used for attendance and travel expenses for the California
Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference (CMANC) meetings in Washington DC
and California.
Authorize up to a three-person delegation to attend the CMANC 2026
“Washington Week” Conference in Washington, D.C. slated for February 2026,
and to represent the City’s interests in the nation’s capital. It is anticipated this
may include the Mayor, the Harbor Vitality Director, and an alternative staff or
Council Member.
6.h Adoption of Resolution No. 64-25 Declaring Gulls at Bayshore Village have
become so Numerous or Destructive as to Constitute a Menace and Danger
to the Public Health, Safety or Property, and Therefore Providing an
Exemption from Morro Bay Municipal Code
The Council invited Mr. Kirschner to respond to Council questions.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 64-25 declaring the existence of Gulls at the Bayshore
Village have become so numerous or destructive as to constitute a menace and
danger to the public health, safety or property, authorizing an exemption for
Bayshore Village from Morro Bay Municipal Code (MBMC) section 7.08.015, and
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authorizing the Homeowner’s Association’s request to haze and harass Gulls, to
remove Gull nests from their property and carryout addling of Western Gull eggs.
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles, and
Council Member Luffee
Noes (1): Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (4 to 1)
6.i Status Update and Reconfirm Emergency for Morro Creek Bank
Stabilization Project
Receive and file status update and reconfirm the declaration of emergency for
the Morro Creek Bank Stabilization Project by four fifths vote.
6.j Contract Term Extension for Agreement with Newton Construction &
Management, Inc. for BWRO Re-skin and Re-roofing Project
Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 extending the term of
the agreement with Newton Construction & Management, Inc. for the Brackish
Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO) facility Re-skin and Re-roofing project to June
30, 2026.
6.k Contract Term Extension for Agreement with Filippin Engineering, Inc. for
the Pavement Rehabilitation Project
Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 extending the term of
the agreement with Filippin Engineering, Inc. for the 2024 Pavement
Rehabilitation Project to June 30, 2026.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
None.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
The Council took a brief recess at 7:31 p.m. and reconvened at 7:43 p.m. with all
members present.
8.a Receive and file General Plan Annual Progress Report for calendar year
2024; provide direction as necessary regarding the Community
Development Department's workload priorities; and review draft
amendments to various sections of the City's Zoning Code
Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested clarification on proposed bluff
height limitations and offered suggestions for timely completion of the
historic preservation ordinance.
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Shirley Fraser, Morro Bay, encouraged a sense of urgency to implement
the proposed zoning code amendments, specifically bluff height
limitations.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, asked if the phrase 'between Beach & Surf
Street' includes the width of Surf Street.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, stated the California Office of Historic
Preservation offers a tool to help cities create their own ordinance and
suggested a new advisory committee be formed to assist with that
process.
End of public comment.
Following discussion, there was Council consensus to proceed with the proposed
Zoning Code amendments and include consultant costs for timely completion of
the historic preservation ordinance in next year's budget.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Receive and file the attached General Plan Annual Progress Report for calendar
year 2024, as discussed.
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
None.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk