HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2024-02-27 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
February 27, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall, 209 Surf St., Morro Bay, CA
Members Present: Mayor Carla Wixom
Council Member Zara Landrum
Council Member Laurel Barton
Council Member Cyndee Edwards
Council Member Jennifer Ford
Staff Present: City Manager Yvonne Kimball
City Attorney Chris Neumeyer
City Clerk Dana Swanson
Interim Asst City Mgr/Admin Svcs Director Steve Conway
Public Works Director Greg Kwolek
Interim Comm Dev Director Michael Codron
Police Chief Amy Watkins
Fire Chief Dan McCrain
Harbor Director Ted Schiafone
Finance Manager Emily Conrad
Senior Budget Analyst Melissa Green
_____________________________________________________________________
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., with all members present.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORTS
4.a Closed Session Report
City Attorney Neumeyer announced no reportable action was taken in
closed session.
4.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and
Presentations
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=11TXjMlDRUmLWY8u&t=93
4.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
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None
5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=RQdl-zfTJ1vZUUK1&t=972
Don Maruska, San Luis Obispo County resident and Morro Bay business
owner, commented on the potential for offshore wind development and
encouraged the community to focus on facts rather than fears when
considering this opportunity.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, reminded residents to get out and vote on
March 5th.
Monique Davis, Morro Bay, offered suggestions for assisting those who
are unhoused.
Rachel Wilson, Cayucos, shared information gleaned from the Cal Poly
Sea Grant Community Education Workshop.
Steve Ray, Morro Bay, suggested the review period for the BESS Project
EIR be increased from 60 to 90 days and noted the importance of
protecting the estuary.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, reported the property owners along the
Quintana ditch were trying to acquire property from Caltrans with a goal of
extending the drainageway.
Jeanne Marie Colby, Morro Bay, agreed with the previous speaker a 90-
day review of the BESS Project EIR was necessary and that it must
address potential estuary impacts.
Jeff Heller, Morro Bay, shared his appreciation for the City's efforts to
address issues around homelessness. Regarding Item 9.c., he supported
staff recommendation to seek available funding.
An unnamed resident offered comments.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, announced REACT Alliance will host a "Save
Our Seas Stop Offshore Wind" event on Saturday, March 9th, beginning
at 12 noon at the Veterans Hall; requested the Council agendize
consideration of a letter opposing AT&T's efforts to no longer be required
to provide landline telephone service; and reminded residents nesting
season began February 1st.
End of public comment.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
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https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=CRLzR6YY9l0A93si&t=2951
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 for the Consent Agenda. Seeing none,
public comment was closed.
Motion by Council Member Barton
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Approve Consent Agenda Items 7.a through 7.b as submitted.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Barton,
Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.a Approval of Minutes
Approve as submitted.
a. January 23, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
b. February 13, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
7.b Second Quarter Investment Report (period ending December 31,
2023) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24
Receive the attached Second Quarter Investment Report (period ending
December 31, 2023) for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
8.a Review and Adopt Final Funding Recommendations for the 2024
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=H6pRdKpsjOwXfU06&t=3009
Interim Community Development Director Codron presented the report
and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=5C_GljW_tWzWVOeD&t=3389
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, suggested the City apply independently
for CDBG funds at the end of the current 3-year cycle.
End of public comment.
The Council took a brief recess at 6:32 p.m. and reconvened at 6:39 p.m.
with all members present.
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Motion by Council Member Edwards
Seconded by Council Member Ford
Adopt Resolution No. 15-24 approving final funding recommendations for
the 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and
forward recommendations to the San Luis Obispo County Board of
Supervisors for inclusion with the other final funding requests from the
Urban County Consortium. The funding recommendation is for the two
applications received from 5 Cities Homeless Coalition and the City Public
Works Department along with City program administration of $3,586 for a
total 2024 funding allocation of $51,228. Additionally, staff recommends
the City Council authorize the City Manager to make pro rata adjustments
to the allocation based on the final funding amount from San Luis Obispo
County based on the approval of the federal budget and the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) final grant
amount to the County.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.a Presentation and Discussion of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Annual
Comprehensive Financial Report
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=h3A9 -URta7G3PjsK&t=4125
Interim Assistant City Manager/Admin Services Director Conway
introduced Lindsey Zimmerman of Brown Armstrong Accountancy
Corporation, who presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=19uuDtWkf4Ixg2Ad&t=4761
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, requested clarification regarding auditing
of transient occupancy tax revenues collected by HdL.
End of public comment.
Ms. Zimmerman responded to questions raised during public comment.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
1. Receive the FY 2022-23 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
(ACFR) for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023
(Attachment 1), and
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2. Receive FY 2022-23 Annual Streets Report (Attachment 2) and FY
2023-24 Prop 172 Maintenance of Effort Certification (Attachment
3).
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.b Fiscal Year 2023-24 Midyear Budget and Financial Update
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=JvQPlEPvB5uvri-t&t=5011
Interim Assistant City Manager/Administrative Services Director Conway
presented the report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=yL7MqLYI-GCQcQdU&t=6846
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, requested clarification regarding
Community Development Department expenses and commented
on the Vistra project.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, commented on short-term vacation
rental compliance issues.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, urged the City to explore best options to
spend down reserves in excess of the required minimum.
End of public comment.
Motion by Council Member Ford
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
Adopt Resolution No. 16-24 authorizing the attached Budget Amendments
to the 2023-24 mid-year budget report.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.c Response to San Luis Obispo County - Offshore Wind Notice of
Funding Availability Scope of Work Questionnaire
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=BRgeg69l7DP6FzkS&t=7955
Harbor Director Schiafone presented the report and, along with City
Manager Kimball, responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.c.
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https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=-gsIKPDVJzIj5tS6&t=9676
Rachel Wilson, Cayucos, commented on the importance of
protecting the environment.
Steve Ray, Morro Bay, spoke in support of Measure A -24, an
initiative that would allow citizens to decide what they want for the
city.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, suggested a local ordinance likely would
not impact the momentum and authority of the state and federal
government and suggested the City focus on the potential
revenues.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, disagreed with previous speaker and
was opposed to offshore wind development.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, encouraged the City to maintain strong and
close relationships with county and state legislators on the issue.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, spoke in favor of the letter submitted to
the County.
Mandy Davis, President of REACT Alliance, offered to present
information they've collected regarding offshore wind development.
End of public comment.
Following discussion, there was consensus to add the following
comments: Morro Bay distinguishes itself from the other two respondents
and strongly needs a study designated to its unique needs, specifically the
needs of a full-service city with a tourism-based economy, and potential
circulation and parking impacts during special events.
No formal action was taken on this item.
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
https://youtu.be/P8v5mVI5g8M?si=miRx3GpCquSnk4e5&t=12159
Council Member Edwards requested and received support for a general review of
Council and advisory board sub-committees, policies related to the formation of
sub-committees, scope of work, authority, and Brown Act requirements.
Mayor Wixom requested and received support to have Planning Commission
revisit the City's parking credit formula.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.
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/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk