HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2020-05-14 Special Meeting MinutesAGENDA NO: A-1
MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
S PECIAL MEETING — MAY 14, 2020
TELECONFERENCE — 2.00 P.M.
MEETING DATE: June 23, 2020
City Council conducted this meeting in accordance with Section 3 of California Governor
Newson's Executive Order N-29-20 issued on March 17, 2020 in response to the present State
of Emergency in existence due to the threat of COVID-19. This meeting was held via
teleconference for all participants.
PRESENT: John Headding
Dawn Addis
Robert Davis
Jeff Heller
ABSENT:
S TAFF:
Mayor
Council Member
Council Member
Council Member
Marlys McPherson Council Member
Scott Collins
Dana Swanson
Chris Neumeyer
Jennifer Callaway
Scot Graham
Jody Cox
Steve Knuckles
Eric Endersby
City Manager
City Clerk
City Attorney
Finance Director/Acting Public Works Director
Community Development Director
Police Chief
Fire Chief
Harbor Director
ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Headding established a quorum and called the meeting to order at 2000 p.m. with all but
Council Member McPherson member present.
PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
https://youtu.be/FgZkiriOB k?t=55
John Weiss, Morro Bay resident and business owner, expressed concern for businesses affected
by the COVID-19 pandemic and appreciated the City Manager's decision to form a budget
committee.
Carole Truesdale, Morro Bay, concurred with the previous speaker's comments and urged the
County and City to mandate the wearing of face masks.
Erica Crawford, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, provided an overview of survey results
submitted as agenda correspondence and encouraged the Council to empower staff to move
forward with adaptations to support businesses post-COVID-19.
Melanie Williams -Mahan, Morro Bay, expressed concern the COVID-19 pandemic was not over
and urged the City to slow the reopening process.
P enny, Morro Bay business owner, has been offering curbside pick-up and expressed concern it
may be too early to reopen businesses.
Meredith Bates, Morro Bay, agreed with the Chamber's recommendation not to close the
Embarcadero to vehicle traffic but disagreed with their recommendation to open the Rock parking
lot. She also suggested imposing fines on those who do not observe social distancing guidelines.
Steven Peck, Morro Bay business owner, shared the County and State have issued guidelines
for business reopening at the appropriate time and encouraged the City to be ready to provide
outdoor dining opportunities.
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, expressed concern for those who had been harmed financially by
COVID-19 and urged the City to begin planning for a stepped and thoughtful reopening. He
discouraged closing of roads and requiring masks.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay business owner, supported opening the Rock parking lot and increasing
trash receptacles, particularly along the waterfront. He suggested not being overly restrictive
with regard to masks and allow business owners to impose that restriction, if desired.
John, Morro Bay, asked the Council to consider a mandate requiring face masks in situations
where social distancing cannot be maintained.
The public comment period was closed.
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA ITEM:
I. DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF POSSIBLE ACTIONS TO MITIGATE
COMMUNITY IMPACTS RELATED TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC; (CITY MANAGER)
https://youtu.be/FgZkiriOB k?t=1721
City Manager Collins provided the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Council Member Addis left the meeting at 3:02 p.m.
Following individual comments, there was consensus on the following:
•
•
•
•
•
Staff to continue messaging through social media Morro Bay is not open for
business
Provide signage and informational handouts reminding residents and visitors
about the importance of social distancing and good sanitary practices as
recommended by the Department of Health.
Support for opening of the Rock parking lot and placement of additional trash
enclosures as recommended by staff.
Request staff to return with proposals for re-routing traffic in the north
Embarcadero parking lot from the Coast Guard building to Morro Bay Landing and
between Harbor and Pacific Streets.
There was not majority support to bring forward a mask ordinance at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
Recorded by:
na Swanson
City Clerk
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING -- MAY 14, 2020