HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2026-02-24 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
February 24, 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
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
City Engineer Nate Stong
Project Engineer Dan Heimel, Confluence Engineering Solutions
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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 and one potential litigation matter. Property
negotiations involved Morro Elementary and the former wastewater treatment
plant site. No reportable action was taken in closed session pursuant to 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
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
None.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Renn Strong, Morro Bay, shared his thoughts on climate geoengineering.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, spoke on behalf of Friends of Morro Elementary,
offering their support to ensure the property benefits our town and enriches our
community for years to come.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, questioned impacts the proposed
injection wells may have on the commercial fishermen's storage area and
requested safety improvements between Main Street and Highway 1.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, agreed with the previous speaker's concerns along
Highway 1 in north Morro Bay and urged the City to contact Caltrans regarding
safety improvements.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, encouraged the Council and staff to work with Caltrans
to improve safety, prevent crossovers, and beautify Highway 1.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to issues raised during public comment and committed to contact
Caltrans regarding safety concerns.
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.
Renn Strong, Morro Bay, offered his thoughts on water safety and supply.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, spoke to Item 6h, questioning the sequence of the
Morro Creek stabilization project as it relates to injection well drilling. Regarding
Item 6f, he requested an overall summary on the recycled water project.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, spoke to Item 6f, requesting a performance review of
the injection well portion of the WRF project, and stated her continued opposition
to Item 6h.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, commented on Item 6f, expressing concern the
proposed injection wells would negatively affect the commercial fishermen.
End of public comment.
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Council Member Eckles pulled Item 6.g, Council Member Luffee pulled Item 6.f, Council
Member Landrum pulled Item 6.h, and Mayor Wixom pulled Item 6.e.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Approve Consent Agenda Items 6.a through 6.d 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. January 13, 2026 - Special Council Meeting
2. February 10, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
3. February 10, 2026 - Special Closed Session Meeting
6.b Approval of Proclamations
None.
6.c Adoption of Resolution No. 06-26 Declaring Pursuant to Government Code
Section 54221 that Real Property Owned by the City of Morro Bay, Located
at 231 Atascadero Road (APN: 065-182-005) is Non-Exempt Surplus Land
and not Necessary for the City's Use;
Adopt Resolution No. 06-26, declaring pursuant to Government Code Section
54221 that real property owned by the City of Morro Bay, located at 231
Atascadero Road (APN: 065-182-005) is non-exempt surplus land and is not
necessary for the City’s use; taking related actions; and authorizing Staff to
proceed with the disposal of the property pursuant to the requirements of the
Surplus Land Act.
6.d Request to approve Resolution No. 07-26 appointing two new Waterfront
Master Plan Advisory Committee (WMPAC) members
Adopt Resolution No. 07-26 appointing two new Waterfront Master Plan Advisory
Committee (WMPAC) members.
6.e Report on Attendance at the 2026 C-MANC Washington Week Meetings
Mayor Wixom asked Harbor Vitality Director Munson to provide a verbal update
on the C-MANC Washington Week visit.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Receive and file.
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Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.f Water Reclamation Facility Quarterly Report and Contract Amendments
Public Works Director Kwolek and IPR Project Engineer Dan Heimel responded
to Council questions.
Motion by Council Member Luffee
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
1. Receive and file the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Quarterly Report for October –
December for the Water Reclamation Facility Program (WRF Program);
and
2. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute:
A. A no cost amendment to the professional services agreement with
Rincon Consultants Inc. (Rincon) for professional environmental
permitting consulting services for the Recycled Water Facilities
component of the WRF Project to extend the agreement term to
December 31, 2026; and
B. An amendment to the professional services agreement with Kevin
Merk Associates (KMA) for biological resources technical support in
support of the implementation of the Recycled Water Project in the
amount of $43,450 resulting in a not to exceed amount of $154,490,
and to extend the agreement term to December 31, 2026; and
C. An amendment to the professional services agreement with GSI
Water Solutions, Inc. (GSI) to provide hydrogeological support
services in the amount of $48,400 resulting in a not to exceed amount
of $1,796,863, and to extend the agreement term to December 31,
2026.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.g Approval of Resolution No. 08-26 Authorizing the Police Department to
Apply for and Receive Award for the California Highway Patrol (CHP)
Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program (CTFGP) - Small and Mid-Size Law
Enforcement Agency, and authorize the City Manager
Council Member Eckles and Police Chief Watkins commented on an error in the
staff report and resolution, confirming the correct dollar amount for this grant
application is $208,396.
Motion by Council Member Luffee
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
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Adopt Resolution No. 08-26 to authorize staff to apply for and accept award of
grant funds for the purpose of enhancing the Morro Bay Police Department’s
impaired-driving enforcement, training, and public-education efforts, with the
corrected dollar amount to read $208,396.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.h Status Update and Reconfirm Emergency for the Morro Creek Bank
Stabilization Project
Public Works Director Kwolek and City Engineer Stong responded to Council
questions.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Receive and file status update and reconfirm the declaration of emergency for
the Morro Creek Bank Stabilization Project by four fifths vote.
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
7.a Hearing to Adopt Ordinance No. 677 and 678: Amendments to Zoning Code
/ Coastal Implementation Plan (IP)
Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and, along
with Senior Planner Toner, responded to Council questions.
Mayor Wixom opened the public hearing and public comment period.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, expressed frustration that the state allows
ADUs without required parking and asked that the bluff top restrictions be
extended to include all of Surf Street and two houses.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested the bluff top restrictions be
inclusive of Surf Street and clarify it includes two additional addresses on
Surf Street, adding this would allow for orderly and consistent
development.
Shirley Fraser, Morro Bay, asked that bluff top restrictions be inclusive of
Surf Street.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, agreed the Surf Street view corridor should be
protected.
End of public comment.
The public hearing was closed.
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Following discussion, a majority of Council supported moving forward with
ordinance adoption, as presented, with the understanding consideration of
extending the bluff top restrictions would be considered as part of the Waterfront
Master Plan update.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
1. Adopt Ordinance No. 677, “An Ordinance of the City Council of Morro
Bay, California, Amending Chapters 17.29, 17.30, and 17.46 of the
Zoning Code, Title 17 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code,” with a finding
that no further environmental review is required pursuant to State CEQA
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and Statutory Exemption Section
15282(h); and
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 678, “An Ordinance of the City Council of Morro
Bay, California, Amending Chapters 17.07, 17.08, and 17.23 of the
Zoning Code / Coastal Implementation Plan (IP), Title 17 of the Morro
Bay Municipal Code,” with a finding that no further environmental review
is required pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and
Statutory Exemption Section 15282(h); and
3. Waive further reading of Ordinance No. 677 and Ordinance No. 678; and
4. Forward comments on the issue of expanding the bluff height limit to be
inclusive of Surf Street to the Waterfront Master Plan Advisory
Committee.
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, and
Council Member Luffee
Noes (1): Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (4 to 1)
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
The Council took a brief recess at 7:16 p.m. and reconvened at 7:26 p.m. with all but
Council Member Landrum present. Mayor Wixom announced Council Member Landrum
left to attend to a family matter.
8.a Presentation and Discussion of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report
Finance Director Conrad introduced the item and turned to Lindsay Zimmerman,
Brown Armstrong, to present the report.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a; seeing none, the public
comment period was closed.
As a receive and file report, no formal action was taken on this item.
8.b Public Meeting to Renew the Morro Bay Tourism Business Improvement
District
City Manager Craig presented the report.
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Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, asked if clean restrooms is considered
beautification.
Michael Wambolt, Visit Morro Bay, provided an update on the Executive
Director position and offered to answer questions.
End of public comment.
No formal action was taken on this item.
8.c Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid Year Report
Finance Director Conrad presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.c.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, reminded Council the intent of Measure Q
was intended to cover costs beyond normal budget items and should not
be spent on salaries.
End of public comment.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
1. Receive the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Midyear Budget Report; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 09-26 authorizing the attached Budget
Amendments.
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, and
Council Member Luffee
Absent (1): Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (4 to 0)
8.d Award of Contract with J Bruce Kies - Contractor/Consultant for the
Coleman Park Improvements Phase 1 Project
Public Works Director Kwolek and City Engineer Stong presented the report and
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.d.
Garrett Loughran, JJ Fisher Construction, responded to the City's
determination his bid was unresponsive.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, spoke to estimated restroom costs and asked
that an adult swing set be included in the project.
End of public comment.
City Attorney Stack, Director Kwolek and City Engineer Stong responded to
questions raised during public comment.
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Motion by Council Member Luffee
Seconded by Council Member Eckles
1. Award and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with J Bruce
Kies – Contractor, for the Coleman Park Improvements Phase 1 Project
(Project) in the amount of $724,874.00 and sign any documents or
amendments necessary for the ongoing administration of the contract
subject to review and approval by the City Attorney’s Office as to form /
legal effect; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 10-26 to reallocate $194,167 in available capital
project funding as defined in the report.
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards, and
Council Member Luffee
Absent (1): Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (4 to 0)
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk