HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2023-10-24 Regular Meeting Minutes - signedMINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING – OCTOBER 24, 2023
VETERAN’S MEMORIAL HALL – 5:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Carla Wixom Mayor
Laurel Barton Council Member
Cyndee Edwards Council Member
Jennifer Ford Council Member
Zara Landrum Council Member
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Yvonne Kimball City Manager
Chris Neumeyer City Attorney
Dana Swanson City Clerk
Steve Conway Interim Assist. City Manager/Admin Svcs Dir.
Greg Kwolek Public Works Director
Scot Graham Community Development Director
Daniel McCrain Fire Chief
Amy Watkins Police Chief
Ted Schiafone Harbor Director
ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., with all members present.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
RECOGNITION – None
CLOSED SESSION REPORT – City Attorney Neumeyer stated there was no reportable action
as no closed session meeting was held.
MAYOR & COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & PRESENTATIONS
https://youtu.be/QKuk-S83DyI?si=FjKDsJ_RzgsiFRyW&t=106
CITY MANAGER REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
https://youtu.be/QKuk-S83DyI?si=19b4fYvd4s4WVgGO&t=432
• Introductions – Interim Assistant City Manager/Admin Services Director, Steve Conway
and Senior Budget Analyst, Melissa Green
PRESENTATIONS
https://youtu.be/QKuk-S83DyI?si=DPvtLooSV6NHgRVL&t=927
• Dr. Michael Boswell, Cal Poly Director of City and Regional Planning, provided a
presentation on the City’s Climate Action Plan Update
• Morro Bay Police Department Explorer Post Presentation
• Proclamation to Mary Lou Jannopoulos for the Morro Bay Theatre
PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/QKuk-S83DyI?si=qL5HebZMIsdns7sv&t=1616
Sharon O’Leary, Morro Bay, thanked the Council for consideration of Los Osos Cares’s funding
request to continue the Estero Bay RUOK program.
AGENDA NO: A-1 MEETING DATE: November 14, 2023
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOBER 24, 2023
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, reported Assembly Bill 318 extending mobile home park resident
protection under the MRLPP for three years was signed into law this week.
Lynsey Hansen and Ray Riordan, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, recognized Mary Lou
Jannopoulous for her 50 years of service to the community.
Janice Peters, Morro Bay, thanked the Council for recognizing By the Sea Productions through
its community grant program last year and hoped they would approve this year’s funding request
for a new sound system.
Chuck Stoll, Morro Bay, urged the Council to approve Morro Bay in Bloom’s community grant
request, thanked volunteers for their support of Monday Night Dinner program, appreciated the
forum to discuss vacation rental policies and announced the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner to be
held at the Morro Bay Community Center.
Aaron Ochs, Morro Bay, hoped the community would come together to have productive
discussions about alternatives to the proposed BESS project.
Kiernan Connell, Morro Bay, commented on the importance of neutrality regarding lives lost in
the middle east.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, suggested the city consider forming district elections.
Seychelles Cannes, Morro Bay, opined maintenance and support vessels for Offshore Wind were
not appropriate for Morro Bay.
An unnamed resident shared a video of burning lithium batteries and commented on homeland
security issues.
Bill Martony, Morro Bay, requested an update on discussions regarding Morro Elementary,
commented on appropriate locations for recycled water, and offered Measure D restrictions would
preclude support vessels for offshore wind.
Dawn Ferber, Morro Bay, suggested a footbridge across Highway 1 near La Jolla Street would
improve pedestrian safety at the Main St./Hwy 41 intersection. She opposed people having
permits for multiple short-term rentals.
Richard Sadowski, Morro Bay, commented on the Climate Action Plan update presentation and
hoped the City would support his community grant request for related work.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, spoke regarding a Request for Proposals to conduct a water / sewer
rate study.
Paul Donnelly, Morro Bay, commented on issues that should be considered in the climate action
plan update, including emissions created by heavy construction projects and traffic congestion on
busy tourist weekends.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, expressed concern about the effects offshore wind has on sea life
and encouraged others to watch the documentary, “Thrown to the Wind.”
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, introduced her mantra, “wind is not green nor sustainable.”
Susan Stewart, Morro Bay business owner, spoke regarding the Historical Society’s reenactment
of a coroner’s inquest into the death of a headless, handless body Franklin Riley found on the
beach near his house.
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOBER 24, 2023
Mayor Wixom closed public comment.
A. CONSENT AGENDA
https://youtu.be/QKuk-S83DyI?si=ij-ejRE7_GO68CQh&t=4029
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.
A-1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE OCTOBER 10, 2023, CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL
CLOSED SESSION MEETING; (CITY CLERK)
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as submitted.
A-2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE OCTOBER 10, 2023, CITY COUNCIL MEETING;
(CITY CLERK)
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as submitted.
A-3 APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 YEAR-END BUDGET AMENDMENTS;
(ADMINISTRTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT)
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council receive the Fiscal
Year (FY) 2022-23 Year-End Budget Review contained herein and adopt
Resolution No. 69-23 approving FY 2022-23 Year-End Budget Adjustments.
A-4 AUTHORIZE CITY OF MORRO BAY TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES TO RECEIVE
$300,000 IN GRANT FUNDS FOR THE SEQUOIA COURT STORM DRAIN
REPLACEMENT PROJECT; (PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT)
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution No. 70-23 for the City of Morro Bay (City)
to enter into an agreement with the State of California Department of Water
Resources (CDWR) to receive $300,000 in funding for its Sequoia Court Storm Drain
Replacement Project (collectively, the “Project”).
A-5 AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER APPROVAL OF A ONE-YEAR EXTENSION FOR THE
CITYWORKS LICENSE AGREEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,500.00; (COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT)
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council review the staff report and
authorize the City Manager to approve a one-year extension of the Cityworks
License Agreement in the amount of $47,500.00.
A-6 PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE CULTURAL, HISTORICAL, AND SOCIAL
CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARY LOU JANNOPOULOS; (ADMINISTRATION)
RECOMMENDATION: Approved as submitted.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for the Consent Agenda.
https://youtu.be/QKuk-S83DyI?si=sE3LOckb3yncdwci&t=4050
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, spoke to Item A-3, asking for clarification on carry over items.
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOBER 24, 2023
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, also expressed concerns about carry overs in the capital improvement
budget.
The public comment period was closed.
Mayor Wixom asked that staff respond to questions raised during public comment.
MOTION: Council Member Edwards moved approval of Consent Agenda Items A-1 through
A-6. The motion was seconded by Council Member Landrum and carried 5-0.
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
C. BUSINESS ITEMS
C-1 REVIEW MORRO BAY PUBLIC PARKING MANAGEMENT STUDY CONDUCTED BY
WALKER CONSULTANTS AND CONSIDER RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS; (CITY
MANAGER)
https://youtu.be/QKuk-S83DyI?si=iSeBVih1PqkWdsZ4&t=4406
City Manager Kimball introduced the item and turned to Steffen Turoff of Walker
Consultants, Police Chief Watkins, Public Works Director Kwolek, Harbor Director
Schiafone, and Fire Chief McCrain, who provided the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
The public comment period for Item C-1 was opened.
https://youtu.be/QKuk-S83DyI?si=L9Ta7U9fDD6pezJr&t=8808
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, urged the City to pursue paid parking at the Rock and offer an
annual pass for local residents.
An unnamed resident offered comments.
Paul Donnelly, Morro Bay, commented on heavy traffic along the waterfront on busy
weekends.
Bill Martony, Morro Bay, offered suggestions to alleviate traffic along the Embarcadero
and, rather than paid parking, beautify the Rock parking lot and offer shuttle service.
Val Seymour, Morro Bay, favored paid parking along the Embarcadero with revenues
used to improve the Rock area. She opposed the use of consultants and suggested
reconvening the parking committee if further input was needed.
Janice Peters, Morro Bay, agreed the Embarcadero parking lot was an appropriate test
for paid parking.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, appreciated the information provided, suggested replacing
trash cans along the harbor walk, considering a return to 4-lane traffic without street
parking, and reminded staff the Rock parking lot was not conducive to paving.
Kyle Finger supported paid parking with revenues used for signage and improved public
transportation.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, favored staged implementation of a waterfront paid parking plan
and encouraged the City to give ample consideration for employees and residents who
need to park there.
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOBER 24, 2023
The public comment period for Item C-1 was closed.
Following discussion, there was Council consensus for staff to pursue conversations with
Coastal Commission regarding options for paid parking at the Rock as well as widening
the pedestrian bridge over Morro Creek to allow for vehicle traffic.
The Council took a brief recess at 8:40 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:51 p.m. with all
members present.
There was Council consensus to hear Item C-4 next.
Council Member Ford recused herself from Item C-4 due to a potential conflict of interest and
left the dais at 8:53 p.m.
C-4 ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 71-23 AWARDING FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 COMMUNITY
GRANTS; (CITY MANAGER)
https://youtu.be/6aJPkUyhVjc?si=Y5dQAuXFSdfIONyZ&t=66
City Manager Kimball provided the report.
The public comment period for Item C-4 was opened.
https://youtu.be/6aJPkUyhVjc?si=ngI0PQpzE4S2Og1X&t=287
Richard Sadowski, Morro Bay, spoke regarding the funding request to purchase air quality
monitoring equipment.
Christine Robertson, Executive Director of San Luis Coastal Education Foundation,
appreciated the City being a partner in this equity work.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, urged the Council to alter the budget to fund requests from
Honor Flight and the Ecologistics Estuary Air Monitoring Project.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, spoke in support of funding for Honor Flight.
The public comment period for Item C-4 was closed.
Following discussion there was consensus to pull $1,000 each from Morro Bay Art
Association and Diversity Coalition and allocating $2,000 to Honor Flight.
MOTION: Council Member Landrum moved adopt Resolution No. 71-23, distributing
money as presented with a change to give Honor Flight $2,000, reducing
funding to Diversity Coalition and Morro Bay Art Association. The motion was
seconded by Council Member Barton and carried 4-0-1 with Council Member
Ford having recused herself.
Council Member Ford returned to the dais at 9:18 p.m.
C-2 REVIEW AND POTENTIAL RECONSIDERATION OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY’S
POSITION ON NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY IN LOCAL WATERS AND
POTENTIAL CHUMASH HERITAGE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY; (HARBOR
DEPARTMENT)
https://youtu.be/6aJPkUyhVjc?si=ggdGwzoYrgqao65a&t=1545
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOBER 24, 2023
Harbor Director Schiafone provided the report and responded to Council inquiries.
There was Council consensus to finish this item as well as Item C-3.
The public comment period for Item C-2 was opened.
https://youtu.be/6aJPkUyhVjc?si=SmuhOiyIv0cepgVp&t=2328
Janice Peters, Morro Bay, offered historical perspective and urged the Council to restate
the City’s opposition to the proposed marine sanctuary.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, affirmed the need to have a seat at the table.
Richard Sadowski, Morro Bay, spoke in support of the proposed sanctuary with
boundaries that include the Estero Bay area.
An unnamed resident asked a hybrid approach was possible.
The public comment period for Item C-2 was closed.
Following discussion, there was Council consensus to submit a comment letter
expressing the City’s questions and concerns, including: no seat at the table on the
advisory council, potential impacts on future dredging needs, the sanctuary name not
being inclusive of local tribes, continued support for commercial fishing industry and
unknown impacts on commercial fishing.
C-3 REVIEW AND CONSIDER PUBLIC COMMENT OPTIONS FOR THE DRAFT INITIAL
STUDY AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR THE LOS OSOS
COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT PIPELINE RESILIENCY INTERTIE PROJECT;
(PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT)
https://youtu.be/6aJPkUyhVjc?si=IHLrUgbFO8n0b1o_&t=3832
Public Works Director Kwolek provided the report and responded to Council inquiries.
The public comment period for Item C-3 was opened.
https://youtu.be/6aJPkUyhVjc?si=Q9kfJtagDatj1WTF&t=4845
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, offered comments regarding the Los Osos project and issues
around Morro Bay’s water supply.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on concerns submitted as agenda
correspondence and urged the Council to not consent to a consolidated permit.
Paul Donnelly, Morro Bay, stated Measure G would prevent the City from selling water to
another agency and suggested the existing pipeline was designed for service only to
Morro Bay.
Ron Munds, LOCSD General Manager, commented on the project and stated it was not
intended to limit the flow of water to or negatively impact Morro Bay.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, stated Measures G and J protect Morro Bay’s state water
allocation and that it was not to be sold.
The public comment period for Item C-3 was closed.
Mr. Munds responded to follow-up questions by Council.
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOBER 24, 2023
MOTION: Council Member Ford moved to consider staff recommended public comment
options responsive to the Draft IS and MND by the October 27, 2023, 30-day
public comment deadline, included as suggestions 1-4 in the staff report. The
motion was seconded by Council Member Edwards and carried 5-0.
D. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
https://youtu.be/6aJPkUyhVjc?si=PbFXdDrsh94IgARc&t=6886
Council Member Ford requested an update on the Boys & Girls Club Project at the Teen
Center. Staff committed to reconnecting with the group and providing an update.
Council Member Landrum requested a joint meeting with the Citizens Finance Advisory
Committee to discuss workplan and assignments. There was consensus to schedule a
joint meeting after the first of the year.
Council Member Landrum requested and received full support for a deeper look at short-
term vacation rentals and review of the current ordinance.
E. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:52 p.m.
Recorded by:
Dana Swanson
City Clerk
Dana Swanson (Nov 15, 2023 09:50 PST)
Dana Swanson
A1 CC_2023-10-24 Regular Meeting Minutes
Final Audit Report 2023-11-15
Created:2023-11-15
By:Heather Goodwin (hgoodwin@morrobayca.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAx1DOE253qxZVnOptK4yYOGWNw9e_V8Nf
"A1 CC_2023-10-24 Regular Meeting Minutes" History
Document created by Heather Goodwin (hgoodwin@morrobayca.gov)
2023-11-15 - 5:43:41 PM GMT
Document emailed to Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov) for signature
2023-11-15 - 5:44:07 PM GMT
Email viewed by Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov)
2023-11-15 - 5:50:01 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov)
Signature Date: 2023-11-15 - 5:50:11 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2023-11-15 - 5:50:11 PM GMT