HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2024-04-23 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
April 23, 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 Finance Director Emily Conrad
Public Works Director Greg Kwolek
Interim Comm Dev Director Michael Codron
Police Chief Amy Watkins
Fire Chief Dan McCrain
Harbor Director Ted Schiafone
Management Analyst Janeen Burlingame
_____________________________________________________________________
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:43 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/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=3d8d4Y4kCUAudtGQ&t=113
4.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=0ndqOLaOcOMjgCTU&t=1028
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5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
5.a Morro Bay Fire Department Extraction Equipment Presentation
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=0EI7eirYz97ogtb9&t=1631
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=IPZSXKDi2ptLRDQR&t=1924
Rachel Wilson, Cayucos, shared concerns about potential revenue losses
due to a perception that lithium battery storage facilities are unsafe.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, encouraged residents to read agenda reports,
attend meetings and get involved in their community.
Jeanne Marie Colby, Morro Bay, commented on the Draft EIR for the
proposed battery energy storage project.
Cherise Hansson, Morro Bay, offered suggestions for funding park
improvements and urged the Council to make Lila Keiser Park a priority.
Aaron Ochs, Morro Bay, supported the need for Lila Keiser Park
improvements and encouraged community members, city leaders and
business owners to come together around the topic of economic
redevelopment.
Wynde Dyer, Morro Bay, appreciated community support received
following the passing of Chad Wood and urged those who knew the family
to consider a contribution to the Go Fund Me account created in his honor.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, shared his appreciation for Council Member
Landrum's community forum.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, commented on the Quintana
creek clean-up effort and hoped the work would continue behind Lemos
through to the bike path.
Steve Ray, Morro Bay, commented on the draft EIR for the proposed
BESS project.
An unnamed resident offered thoughts about Sexual Assault Awareness
Month.
Ray Riordan, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, thanked the Fire
Department for coming to his rescue on Black Hill.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, asked whether the City or Vistra was paying
for the safety study underway and commented on the importance of
enforcing tree maintenance regulations.
End of public comment.
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7. CONSENT AGENDA
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=hyLARg3gkc1_l-G-&t=3942
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 items on the Consent Agenda.
Steve Ray, Morro Bay, offered his support for Item 7.e. and suggested the
definition of non-profit group be extended to non-profits that support the
community "or residents thereof."
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, spoke to Item 7.e., asking whether funds
would need to be returned if the City's direction did not align with
California Energy Commission expectations.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, commented on Item 7.b., offering his
appreciation for staff's vigilance in presenting corrections in the addendum
report.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, spoke to Item 7.b. suggesting the City have a
fiduciary examiner review investment practices.
An unnamed resident commented on the Arbor Day Proclamation
provided in Item 7.g.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom and staff responded to issues raised during public comment.
Council Member Ford pulled Item 7.e. due to a potential conflict of interest.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Approve Consent Agenda Items 7.a through 7.d, 7.f. and 7.g. 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. April 9, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
b. April 9, 2024 - Special Closed Session Meeting
7.b Third Quarter Investment Report (period ending March 31, 2024) for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24
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Receive the attached Third Quarter Investment Report (period ending
March 31, 2024) for Fiscal Year 2023-24.
7.c Equipment donation from the Friends of the Morro Bay Fire
Department
Accept the donated equipment from the Friends of the Morro Bay Fire
Department and authorize the City Manager to execute the Donation
Agreement.
7.d Adopt Resolution No. 25-24 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute
Documents Necessary to Refinance Existing Construction Loan into
a Permanant Loan and Accepting a Deed of Trust Related to Lease
Site 87-88/87W-88W (TLC Family Enterprises, 833 Embarcadero
Road)
Adopt Resolution No. 25-24 authorizing the Mayor to execute documents
necessary to refinance an existing construction loan into a permanent loan
and accepting a deed of trust related thereto regarding the leasehold
interest at Lease Site 87-88/87W -88W, with documents subject to
approval of the City Attorney.
7.e Receive and file letter of support for Assembly Bill 2537 (Addis)
Council Member Ford declared a conflict on this item. (Potential Conflict of
Interest)
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
Receive and file letter of support for proposed legislation Assembly Bill
(AB) 2537 related to Offshore Wind Energy Development: Offshore Wind
Community Capacity Building Fund Grant Program (Addis).
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, and Council Member Edwards
Recused (1): Council Member Ford
CARRIED (4 to 0)
7.f Acknowledge and Support Mayor Wixom's collaboration with staff
and community for the City's 60th Anniversary Celebration
Support Recreation staff’s choice to partner with Mayor Wixom on the City
of Morro Bay 60th Anniversary event planning.
7.g Arbor Day Proclamation
Approve the attached proclamation in support of Arbor Day and being a
Tree City USA community.
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8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
8.a Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution No. 26-24, which rescinds
Resolution No. 26-23 and Adopts the FY 2024-25 Master Fee
Schedule
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=Qu8gUPn1fz8gQLto&t=4789
Interim Finance Director Conrad presented the report and responded to
Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 8.a.
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=gdrH0s4NPsOoxXiD&t=5740
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, commented on disparity between
application fees for Coastal Development Permits requiring
administrative approval vs. those that go to Planning Commission.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, suggested using a tiered fee approach to
incentivize workforce housing development.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, expressed concern about the proposed
fee increases.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom closed the public hearing.
Motion by Council Member Edwards
Seconded by Council Member Barton
Adopt Resolution No. 26-24, which updates the City’s Master Fee
Schedule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25. This Resolution rescinds
Resolution No. 26-23, which adopted the current FY 2023-24 Master Fee
Schedule and replaces it in its entirety for the new fiscal year.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
The Council took a brief recess at 7:38 p.m. and reconvened at 7:48 p.m. with all
members present.
9.a Consideration of statement of support to Visit Morro Bay for its
efforts in negotiation with State Park on permit fee required to enable
Ironman event using Morro Bay State Park for racecourse
Council Member Ford declared a conflict on this item. (Council Member
Ford announced she would abstain from the vote after hearing public
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comment due to the perception of a conflict of interest.)
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=AB1lNbcFbm-CiJMR&t=7552
City Manager Kimball presented the report and, along with Police Chief
Watkins and Michael Wambolt from Visit Morro Bay, responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, suggested the City seek support from
Assembly Member Addis or Senator Laird on this issue.
End of public comment.
Council Member Ford Abstained.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Barton
Authorize Mayor Wixom to issue a statement of support.
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, and Council Member Edwards
Recused (1): Council Member Ford
CARRIED (4 to 0)
9.b Consideration of Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No.
667 Adding Chapter 2.48 to Title of the Morro Bay Municipal Code
Relating to Electronic and Paperless Filing of Campaign Disclosure
Statements and Statements of Economic Interests
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=m4FxH2vsQabjP3Tj&t=8496
City Clerk Swanson presented a brief report.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, appreciated Council having directed the
revised language and suggested the exception to electronic filing
not be changed by resolution.
End of public comment.
Motion by Council Member Barton
Seconded by Council Member Ford
Introduce for first reading by title only, with further reading waived,
Ordinance No. 667: An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Morro
Bay, Adding Chapter 2.48 to Title 2 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code
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Relating to Electronic and Paperless Filing of Campaign Disclosure
Statements and Statements of Economic Interests.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.c First Amendment to Employment Contract with Yvonne Kimball, City
Manager
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=t-WvOzVpj1GP_V8V&t=8673
City Attorney Neumeyer presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.c.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, did not recall this contract amendment
being reported out from closed session and was disappointed the
contract was not available for public review.
End of public comment.
Mayor Wixom announced that pursuant to the First Amendment, the City
Manager's annual salary will be $222,911.00.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Consider approval of the First Amendment to the employment contract
with Yvonne Kimball, City Manager, and authorization for the Mayor to
sign the contract on behalf of the City of Morro Bay.
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, and Council Member Edwards
Noes (1): Council Member Ford
CARRIED (4 to 1)
9.d Discussion of Council and Advisory Board Sub-Committees and
Potential Revisions
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=nVNBUoh-GmfVvgq_&t=8952
City Manager Kimball introduced the item and turned to Council Member
Edwards who shared her interest in having clarity around how
subcommittees are formed, a defined role and scope of work, as well as
improved council member onboarding process that includes review of
existing subcommittees and how they fit into Council goals and objectives.
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Mayor Wixom opened public comment.
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=KHBKvMsA6hWlml4m&t=10032
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, suggested subcommittees should not
be a rubber stamp but expected to come up with ideas that are
brought back to Council. She agreed with suggested improved
onboarding.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, asked how the public can interface and
provide input to the Downtown Design District subcommittee.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, noted past council members did not sit
on or serve on subcommittees and suggested information from
those committees be reported out by staff members.
End of public comment.
Following discussion, there was Council consensus to have staff verbally
report Council subcommittee activities during open session to keep the
Council as a whole informed, need for improved Council onboarding to
establish an agreed upon role and scope of work for Council
subcommittees, and training for new council and advisory board members
on the Brown Act and parliamentary procedures.
No formal action was taken by City Council on this item.
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
https://youtu.be/GieaUhQAGJ8?si=AUi5L1HaJaoihxNd&t=12925
Council Member Landrum requested a report on what it means to be bird
sanctuary. Staff offered to gather information and provide an update in the City
Manager newsletter.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk