HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2026-05-12 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
May 12, 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
Police Chief Amy Watkins
Fire Chief Dan McCrain
Harbor Business Manager Lori Thompson
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1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:37 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
matters: two potential litigation matters, public employee performance evaluation
for the City Manager, and public employee performance evaluation for the City
Attorney. 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
2. Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
3. Offshore Wind Energy
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4. Morro Elementary School
5. Shared Fire Services
4. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
4.a Emergency Medical Services Week Proclamation
Presented to Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Vierra and Fire Department staff.
4.b National Boating Safety Week Proclamation
Presented to Harbor Patrol Supervisor Kelly and Harbor Patrol Officer Stein.
4.c National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day
Proclamation
Presented to Police Chief Watkins.
4.d Public Works Week Proclamation
Presented to Public Works Director Kwolek.
4.e Presentation Recognizing Morro Bay Police Department Volunteers for
their support of Grizzly Youth Academy Family Day
Captain Hile and Sgt Jiminez from Grizzly Youth Academy presented Certificates
of Appreciation to Morro Bay Police Volunteers.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Felipe Gonzalez, SLO County Department of Social Services Program
Specialist, thanked the Council for recognizing May as National Foster Care
Month. Those interested in becoming a resource family may call (805) 781-1705
or visit slofostercare.com for more information.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, reported on Monday Night Dinners and a ribbon
cutting event celebrating a mobile laundry trailer provided by 805 Street
Outreach.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, expressed concern about the use of flock
surveillance cameras and hoped they will not be used in Morro Bay.
"Duckie" commented on the departure of Public Works Director Kwolek.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, played a video by Kent Nagano congratulating
Friends of Morro Elementary for their efforts and the City for embracing plans to
acquire and preserve Morro Elementary.
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 opened public comment.
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Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on Items 6.d and 6.f. Regarding Item
6.h, she urged the City to remove language stating the agreement may only be
altered by a voter-approved measure that would modify Measure D, preventing
that lease site from being used for commercial fishing.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, spoke in support of Item 6.i and, regarding Item 6.e,
requested a line-item expenditure statement showing actual maintenance costs
exceed the Cloisters assessment amount by 25-30%.
End of public comment
Council Member Luffee pulled Item 6.c and Council Member Landrum pulled Items 6.d,
6.e, 6.f & 6.h.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Approve Consent Agenda Items 6.a, 6.b, 6.g and 6.i as presented.
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. April 28, 2026 - Regular Council Meeting
6.b Approval of Proclamations
Approve as submitted.
1. Proclamation declaring the week of May 17-23, 2026 as "Emergency Medical
Services Week"
2. Proclamation declaring the week of May 16-22, 2026 as "National Safe
Boating Week"
3. Proclamation acknowledging "National Police Week" and declaring May 15,
2026 as "National Peace Officers Memorial Day"
4. Proclamation declaring the week of May 17-23, 2026 as "National Public
Works Week"
5. Proclamation proclaiming May as "National Foster Care Month"
6.c Third Quarter Investment Report (period ending March 31, 2026) for Fiscal
Year (FY) 2025-26
Finance Director Conrad responded to Council questions.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
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Receive the attached Third Quarter Investment Report (period ending March 31,
2026) for FY 2025-26.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.d Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Annex Lots 1 through 5 of Tract 2859
(APN 065-386-015) into the Cloisters Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance Assessment District (LLMAD)
Public Works Director Kwolek responded to questions raised regarding Items 6.d,
6.e and 6.f.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 21-26 declaring the intent to annex Lots 1 through 5 of
Tract 2859 (APN 065-386-015) into the Cloisters Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance Assessment District (LLMAD).
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.e Adoption of Resolution No. 22-26 Approving the Engineer's Report and
Declaring the Intent to Levy the Annual Assessment for the Cloisters
Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District (LLMAD)
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 22-26 declaring the intent to levy the annual assessment
for the maintenance of the Cloisters Park and Open Space for Fiscal Year (FY)
2026-27 and approving the Engineer’s Report.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.f Adoption of Resolution No. 23-26 Approving the Engineer's Report and
Declaring the Intent to Levy the Annual Assessment for the North Point
Natural Area Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 23-26 approving the Engineer’s Report and declaring the
intent to levy the annual assessment for maintenance of the North Point Natural
Area for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27.
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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.g Quarterly Update on the Status of City Council 2025-2027 Goals
Receive an update from staff on the City’s progress on City goals established in
March 2025.
6.h Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Morro Bay and
the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen's Organization (MBCFO)
The Council invited Bill Blue from the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen's
Organization to respond to concerns raised during public comment.
City Attorney Stack explained the point of including this language was to identify
the potential for a voter-approved measure changing the zoning in this area as a
land use constraint that is beyond what the Council controls. If desired, the
Council can direct staff to remove that language from the agreement out of
concern the document might convey something that wasn't intended, so long as
the administrative record reflects this limitation is accurate.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 24-26, approving the Memorandum of Understanding
(“MOU”) between the City and MBCFO for the Harbor Commercial Fishing Dock
Repair Project, striking language in Section 5.5 stating the agreement may only
be altered by a voter-approved measure modifying Measure D to prohibit the
lease site being used for commercial fishing. The MOU will establish the
requirement by MBCFO for the use of $800,000 toward the Harbor Commercial
Fishing Dock Repair Project and by the City to dedicate the lease site solely to
commercial fishing industry use for a period of thirty (30) years.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
6.i Review and Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter response to the California
Department of Fish and Wildlife Regarding proposed changes to the State
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Review and comment on a draft letter response to the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife regarding proposed changes to the State Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs).
7. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
None.
8. BUSINESS ITEMS
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The Council took a brief recess at 7:02 p.m. and reconvened at 7:11 p.m. with all
members present.
8.a Approve a Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation for
Design of Phase 1 and Environmental Permitting for all Phases of the North
Morro Bay Water Improvements Project
Public Works Director Kwolek and Utilities Project Manager Evers presented the
report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 8.a.
Tina Metzger, Morro Bay, expressed concern about the condition of the
Nutmeg tank and insufficient water pressure in a high-risk fire hazard
severity zone. She suggested the City strategically locate tie-ins to the
Whale Rock Water Transport Pipeline for improved fire fighting capability.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, requested the staff presentation be made
available following the meeting and suggested the method of
accomplishing capital projects be analyzed.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, questioned how the Rancho Colina and
Highway 41/1 roundabout projects would impact this project and urged
further discussion regarding capacity vs. usage in north and south Morro
Bay.
Onan Champi, Morro Bay, would like to review the proposed plans once
they become available and stated an interest in upgrading services on his
property from residential to commercial.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, suggested a pause on new housing based
on water supply concerns.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to additional questions.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services
agreement with Cannon Corporation to provide design and engineering services
during construction for Phase 1 of the North Morro Bay Water Improvements
Project (Project), and environmental review and permitting for all phases of the
Project, in an amount not-to-exceed $525,492.00, and authorize the City
Manager to execute amendments if necessary not to exceed $52,549.00 for
contingencies.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Eckles, Council Member Edwards,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
8.b Review of Current Council Sub-committees, Scope of Work, and Consider
Discontinuing Subcommittees that have Achieved their Intended purposes
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City Manager Craig invited the Council to review the list of Council Sub-
Committees, scope of work (purpose, parameters and duration), and either
confirm the current scope of work, update the scope of work or discontinue Sub-
Committees that have achieved their intended purpose. Recommended to review
each Sub-Committee and take action as desired to continue, update or disband.
City Attorney Stack commented on the distinction between ad hoc (limited
purpose and scope) vs. standing committees and recommended establishing a
purpose and timeframe for subcommittees the Council intends to keep.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.b.
Betsy Gaudette-Cross, Morro Bay, suggested the offshore wind and fire
subcommittees be terminated and the power plant subcommittee remain
in place until a permanent ordinance is adopted.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, agreed based on ongoing
concerns related to the power plant property, that subcommittee should
continue until a permanent ordinance is in place.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, agreed the offshore wind and fire
subcommittees be concluded and suggested the WRF and Morro
Elementary subcommittees remain.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, suggested the offshore wind committee
continue as long as there were two leases remaining and questions as to
whether cable would be run into the dog beach.
End of public comment.
During Council deliberations, there was concurrence on the following:
All members agreed to disband the Shared Fire Services subcommittee.
All members agreed to disband the Offshore Wind Subcommittee with the
understanding it can be re-established if activity occurred that warranted
doing so.
The Power Plant Subcommittee will remain in place and given an
updated purpose statement and duration.
The WRF Subcommittee will continue with a current focus on IPR and
WWTP decommissioning, then re-labeled with attention directed to
redevelopment of the former WWTP property.
The Morro Elementary subcommittee will remain active through the due
diligence period then reevaluated by Council.
9. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk