HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2026-01-27 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
January 27, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
209 Surf St., Morro Bay, CA
Members Present: Mayor Carla Wixom
Council Member Jeff Eckles
Council Member Cyndee Edwards
Council Member Zara Landrum
Council Member Bill Luffee
Staff Present: City Manager John Craig
City Attorney Brian Stack
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
Management Analyst Janeen Burlingame
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1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:33 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 four
items: (3) real property negotiation matters involving Lease Sites 129W -131W
located at 1231 Embarcadero, the former Morro Elementary site, and former
wastewater treatment plant site; and (1) potential litigation matter. 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
There were no verbal updates from staff.
1. Water Reclamation Facility & Morro Bay / Cayucos Sanitary District JPA
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2. Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
3. Offshore Wind Energy
4. Morro Elementary School
5. Shared Fire Services
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
4.a SLO County Tobacco Control Coalition Presentation on Tobacco Waste in
Morro Bay
San Luis Obispo County Tobacco Coalition presentation by Julia Alber, Chair of
the Tobacco Control Coalition, and Amy Gilman, Tobacco Control Program
Manager, regarding tobacco use, waste, and strategies to reduce tobacco waste.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Brenda Mack, San Luis Obispo County branch of NAACP, expressed deep
gratitude for the Black History Month proclamation.
Doug Paslay, Morro Bay, sought the City's assistance regarding smoke impacts
from his neighbor's fireplace.
Greg Clark, Cayucos, commented on the value of skateparks and offered to help
the City build ramps for a new skate park.
Maggie Juran, Beach-N-Bay Getaways, offered comments on the STR permitting
process and misstatements regarding STRs being banned in Monterey, adding
permitted STRs have signage with 24-hour contact information to report any
problems.
Renny Strong offered comments about world issues, encouraged people to grow
food locally and bring a warming center to the area.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, provided a Monday night dinner update and requested
the plaque celebrating Morro Bay Lions Club's 80th anniversary be displayed in
the Vets Hall display case.
Carey Lynch, Los Osos, spoke regarding the value and importance of skate
parks.
Paige Kelley, San Luis Obispo, commented on removal of the skate park and
hoped the City would consider a new location.
Adam Ottenberg, San Luis Obispo, hoped to reestablish a skate park in Morro
Bay.
Angie Kasprzak, San Luis Obispo, thanked the City for its acknowledgment and
support for Black History Month.
Garry Johnson, Morro Bay, opposed paid parking at Tidelands Park.
Joan Solu, Morro Bay, expressed support for the skateboard community and
urged the City to consider the model used for the development and maintenance
of the Bike Park.
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Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, offered comments on the Coleman Park project.
Helena, Morro Bay Massage Therapy, commented on the proposed massage
ordinance and requested a town hall to bring forth concerns and get clarity on
the proposed regulations.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, offered comments in support of an alternative skate
park, swings at Coleman Park, and a parking ramp usage fee at Tidelands Park.
She urged the City to protect our small-town character and do all it can to
purchase Morro Elementary.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to issues raised during 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 opened public comment.
Jeff Heller, Morro Bay, commented in support of Item 6.c.
Eric Daniels, Pacific Gas & Electric, shared its commitment to working with
leaders in Sacramento and locally regarding Item 6.g and thanked City staff
working with PG&E on the continued use of the bike park.
Michael Wambolt, Visit Morro Bay, commented on Item 6.e.
Joan Solu, Morro Bay, commented in favor of Item 6.e. as presented.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, was not in favor of imposing tax on campers, offered
alternatives to the Morro Creek stabilization project, and commented on Item
6.g.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom pulled Item 6.e. Council Member Landrum pulled Item 6.j.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Approve consent agenda items 6.a - 6.d, 6.f - 6.h, and 6.i, as submitted.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, Council
Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.a Approval of Minutes
Approve as submitted.
1. December 9, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
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2. January 13, 2026 - Special Closed Session Meeting
3. January 13, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
4. January 14, 2026 - Special City Council Meeting
6.b Approval of Proclamations
Approve as submitted
1. Proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month
6.c Ordinance No. 674, amending Title 1 (General Provisions) of the Morro Bay
Municipal Code to Increase the Dollar Amounts of Administrative Citations
Imposed on Short-Term Rentals (STRs) that Pose a Threat to Health and
Safety, in Accordance with State
Adopt Ordinance No. 674: “Ordinance No. 674, amending Title 1 (General
Provisions) of the Morro Bay Municipal Code to Increase the Dollar Amounts of
Administrative Citations Imposed on Short-Term Rentals (STRs) that Pose a
Threat to Health and Safety, In Accordance with State Senate Bill 60, and
Finding the Action Not Subject to CEQA.”
6.d Adoption of Ordinance No. 675 Establishing Local Campaign Finance
Contribution Limits
Adopt Ordinance No. 675, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro
Bay, California, adding Chapter 2.50 to the Morro Bay Municipal Code Relating
to Campaign Contribution Limits.”
6.e Resolution of Intention to Renew the Morro Bay Tourism Business
Improvement District (MBTBID)
Michael Wambolt, Visit Morro Bay, and Kelly Rankin, Senior Project Mgr with
Civitas responded to Council questions.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Eckles
Adopt Resolution No. 03-26 declaring the City’s intent to renew the MBTBID for a
10-year term.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.f 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.g Request from County of San Luis Obispo for Support of Legislation
Supporting Extended Operations of Diablo Canyon Power Plant and
Restoration of Unitary Tax Treatment
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Consider authorizing the County of San Luis Obispo to include the City of Morro
Bay as a supporter of the County’s request for legislation to authorize operations
of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) for an additional 20 years, restore pre-
decommissioning unitary tax treatment for the DCPP, and support the California
Coastal Commission’s land conservation and public access plan for lands
surrounding the DCPP.
6.h Notice of Completion for the 2024 Paving Project (Project No. 2024-ST04)
1. Accept the work as performed by Souza Construction Inc.; and
2. Authorize the City Engineer to execute and record a Notice of Completion
for the project.
6.i Approval of License Agreement between the City of Morro Bay and PG&E
for Continued Access and Use of PG&E Property for the Morro Bay Bike
Park
6.j Adopt Resolution No. 04-26 accepting the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan 2025-2030 and approving Morro Bay Hazard Mitigation Plan
Annex D
Fire Chief McCrain and City Attorney Stack responded to Council questions and
agreed to make administrative corrections to Annex D, as needed.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 04-26 approving the 2025 San Luis Obispo County Multi-
Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Morro Bay Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan Annex D.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
The Council took a brief recess at 7:10 p.m. and resumed at 7:18 p.m. with all members
present.
7.a Introduce and First Reading of Municipal Ordinance for Establishing Local
Business Regulations for Massage Establishments and Technicians
Police Chief Watkins presented the staff report, highlighting the following
proposed changes to the draft ordinance:
5.65.090 – Limited exception from CAMTC certification requirement
(b) change 30 days from effective date to 90 days.
(c)(1) change to read business tax certificate or W2.
(c)(3) change wording to: Evidence that he or she attempted to obtain
certification from CAMTC and was provided a letter advising of additional
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requirements of schooling, hours, etc. despite existing training and
experience, he or she could not qualify for certification from CAMTC; and
(f) change date to February 1, 2028.
5.65.110 – License application background check – owner
(k) add certificate to three sentences that include, license or permit or
certificate in lines one, three, and four to section (k).
5.65.140 – Massage establishment license grounds for denial.
(j) add certificate to line two, has had a permit or license or certificate to
practice.
5.65.185 – Massage Therapist – certificated name (new section)
No certificated massage therapist shall operate under another name or
alias that is not listed on their CAMTC certification or local license.
5.65.240 – Massage establishment – Revocation or suspension of license.
(a) add or state massage therapy act business and professional code
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5.65.260 – Appeals – Hearing
Remove “to the council” from line two and line four.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, offered support for the proposed regulations,
questioned hours of operation, and suggested hotels have a specific
room for massage for the safety of customers and the practitioner.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, expressed support for health and wellness
opportunities, was concerned about limiting the number to ten, and noted
a sunset on some provisions might root out the bad businesses.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom closed the public hearing.
Staff responded to additional questions.
During Council deliberations, there was majority support for the revisions
presented by staff and consensus to make the following additional changes:
5.65.130 Additional restrictions and requirements.
(c)(1) – change maximum allowable massage establishments from ten to
twenty (20).
(d) – remove this section from the ordinance.
5.65.170 Record keeping requirements.
Remove “the name and address of the patron” from line two.
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Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Introduce for first reading by title only with further reading waived, Ordinance No.
676, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro Bay, California
Adding Chapter 5.65 to Title 5 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code Regulating
Massage Establishments and Professionals” with modifications presented by
staff and additional changes by City Council.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
8.a Review Harbor Advisory Board Recommendations for Launch Ramp Paid
Parking
Harbor Vitality Director Munson presented staff report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, opposed paid parking at Tidelands launch
ramp, noting the County park near Cuesta College charges for parking
during specific times of day. She supported the idea of not charging a
parking fee during holiday events.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to additional questions.
Council Members Eckles and Landrum opposed a single stall parking fee at the
launch ramp but were interested in analysis of paid parking at the Rock and other
areas of town.
Motion by Council Member Luffee
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
1. Receive staff report and recommendations from the Harbor Advisory
Board (HAB) and approve issuance of one annual single stall pass per
Commercial Fishing boat launch slip and permitted liveaboard vessel at
no cost for the first year, and
2. Authorize staff to reduce the single stall annual pass fee from $175 to $83
for FY 2026/27 with approval of the FY 2026/27 Master Fee Schedule to
be reviewed by Council in April 2026.
Ayes (3): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Luffee
Noes (2): Council Member Eckles, and Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (3 to 2)
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9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Eckles requested and received support for reconsideration of the
Harbor Director's job title.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Janeen Burlingame, Management Analyst