HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2024-05-14 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
May 14, 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
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
City Engineer Cynthia Cecil
Senior Engineer Austin Della
_____________________________________________________________________
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m., with all but Council
Member Barton present. Council Member Barton joined the meeting at 5:41 p.m.
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/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=VcqWH88esnYsxVpH&t=103
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4.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=DuB55Cv-iPdVmplm&t=770
4.d Subcommittee Reports
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=shq9wbFJrM_fYFcV&t=1117
5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
5.a Emergency Medical Services Week Proclamation
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=Fko7HMUpxoD7daNH&t=1516
Presented to Fire Chief Dan McCrain and members of the Morro Bay Fire
Department.
5.b National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day
Proclamation
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=zZIgNbMYmD6XTuiM&t=1796
Presented to Police Chief Amy Watkins and members of the Morro Bay
Police Department.
5.c Public Works Week Proclamation
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=bPRzOeVgIxw06mpE&t=2104
Presented to Public Works Director Greg Kwolek and members of the
Public Works Department.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=zO2ZQi7CSpJO9XoC&t=2403
Felipe Gonzalez, San Luis Obispo Department of Social Services,
thanked the City for acknowledging May as National Foster Care Month
and shared a video highlighting the many voices of foster care in SLO
County. Visit slofostercare.com for more information.
Rachel Wilson, Cayucos, raised questions regarding recent legislation and
how that might impact sales tax revenue from the proposed BESS project.
Jeanne Marie Colby, Morro Bay, spoke regarding the Draft EIR for the
proposed BESS project.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, announced an event to learn more about
Measure A-24 will be held June 1st, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., at the Morro
Bay Community Center.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, thanked the Fire Safe Council, Fire Chief and
Police Chief for their efforts managing clean up of the Quintana creek
area.
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An unnamed individual offered opinions regarding law enforcement.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested an update on the City's campaign
sign ordinance.
Sil DeSantis, Morro Bay, expressed concern about traffic impacts and
other disruption during demolition and construction of the proposed BESS
project.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, mentioned the impact community interests
have on local elections.
Steve Ray, Morro Bay, commented on letter sub mitted by Vistra regarding
their proposed project.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, thanked three departments honored today.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to issues raised during public comment.
7. 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.
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=xEPY1QuOuH8YmN4q&t=4443
Mayor Wixom announced Items 7.c. and 7.i. were being pulled from the agenda.
Mayor opened public comment for items on the Consent Agenda.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on Item 7.c., asking that language
allowing the ordinance to be changed by resolution be removed;
regarding Item 7.e., she asked how this would affect the leaseholder's
responsibility for maintaining revetments; and regarding Item 7.g., as a
member of the Recreation & Parks Commission, she was excited to
participate in planning the City's 60th Anniversary celebration.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, questioned the selection process used for
contract approval presented in Item 7.e.
An unnamed resident commented on Item 7.b.3.
End of public comment.
Council Member Landrum pulled Item 7.e. for discussion.
Motion by Council Member Ford
Seconded by Mayor Wixom
Approve Consent Agenda Items 7.a, 7.b, 7.d, 7.f, 7.g and 7.h as submitted.
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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 23, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
b. April 23, 2024 - Special Closed Session Meeting
c. May 7, 2024 - Special Closed Session Meeting
7.b Approval of Proclamations
Approve as submitted.
a. Proclamation declaring the week of May 19-25, 2024 as "Emergency
Medical Services Week"
b. Proclamation proclaiming May as "National Foster Care Month"
c. Proclamation acknowledging "National Police Week" and declaring
May 15, 2024 as "National Peace Officers Memorial Day"
d. Proclamation declaring National Public Works Week as May 19
through May 25, 2024 "Advancing Quality of Life for All"
e. Proclamation declaring May 19-25, 2024 as National Travel and
Tourism Week
7.c Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 667 Adding Chapter
2.48 to Title 2 of the Morro Bay Municipal Code Relating to Electronic
and Paperless Filing of Campaign Disclosure Statements and
Statements of Economic Interests
This item was pulled from the agenda.
7.d Approve the Required Annual Military Equipment Use Report er CA
Assembly Bill No. 481 and Renew City's Military Equipment Policy
Approve the submitted annual military equipment report as compliant with
standards of Assembly Bill No. 481 (approved 2021); and approve a
renewal of the military equipment policy previously adopted by Council by
ordinance.
7.e Professional Services Agreement to Brady and Associates for
Conditions Assessment of Revetment and Seawalls
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=SNaAtJtokp -RkyXx&t=5118
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At Council Member Landrum's request, staff clarified the inspections were
being conducted on City-owned property and commented on the Army
Corp of Engineers' role in maintaining the revetments.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Mayor Wixom
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Richard Brady
and Associates (Brady) to perform an Inspection and Conditions
Assessment of Revetment and Seawalls (Assessment) in an amount not
to exceed $287,315.00, with an additional 5% contingency budget of
$14,365.75 executable by the City Manager.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum , Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.f Approval of Contract Amendment with Cannon Corporation and
Project budget Amendment for Kings Tanks and Blanca Tanks
Rehabilitation Project
Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to the
Professional Services Contract with Cannon Corporation (Cannon) for the
completion of the Kings Tanks and Blanca Tanks Rehabilitation Project.
This amendment is in the amount of $10,050. Additionally, approval of this
amendment signifies Council's authorization of a corresponding project
budget increase by the same amount, $10,050.
7.g Preliminary Schedule for Morro Bay 60th Anniversary Celebration of
the City's Incorporation
Receive and file.
7.h Adoption of Resolution Amending Council Policies and Procedures
related to Order of Business for Regular Meetings
Adopt Resolution No. 27-24 amending Council Policies and Procedures
subsection 1.2.7 to add Subcommittee Reports to the Order of Business
for Regular Meetings
7.i Contract Amendment No. 1 - Project No. MB2022-MA01, Morro Bay
Parking Lot Rehabilitation
This item was pulled from the agenda.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.a San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) Presentation
"Get Involved: Regional Road Safety Action Plan"
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https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=DyM2y8_OhPMxKl6B&t=5572
Sarah Woolsey, Rick Engineering, presented information on behalf of
SLOCOG regarding the Regional Road Safety Action Plan and responded
to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 9.a.; seeing none, the
public comment period was closed.
As a receive and file item, no action was taken by the Council.
9.b Adoption of Resolution No. 28-24 Approving the Engineer's Report
and Declaring the Intent to Levy the Annual Assessment for the
Cloisters Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Assessment
District (LLMAD)
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=H0_lEznipHAwT2lz&t=6149
Public Works Director Kwolek presented the report and responded to
Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 9.b.; seeing none, the
public comment period was closed.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Adopt Resolution No. 28-24 declaring the intent to levy the annual
assessment for the maintenance of the Cloisters Park and Open Space for
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024/25 and approving the Engineer’s Report.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.c Adoption of Resolution No. 29-24 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
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=XvoFO4I3eiatCjnf&t=6422
Public Works Director Kwolek presented the report.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.c.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, felt that going forward it would be unfair to
ask North Point residents to pay for maintenance along the
proposed Morro Bay to Cayucos trail connector.
End of public comment.
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Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
Adopt Resolution No. 29-24 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) 2024/2025.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.d Discussion of Recommendations for improvements to the Harbor
Department Lease Management Policy
The Council took a brief recess at 7:24 p.m. and reconvened at 7:34 p.m.
with all members present.
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=12i2S_XrTU5THG-U&t=7278
Harbor Director Schiafone presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 9.d.
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=MOeQNpQcrKmGHKTS&t=8355
Cal Myers, Morro Bay, offered insights as a Harbor Advisory Board
and ad hoc committee member.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, questioned the timing for implementation of
the proposed changes and noted there was little discussion about
the potential impacts on sublease holders.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, commented as a sublease holder in a
marina outside Morro Bay.
Cherise Hansson, Morro Bay resident and leaseholder, suggested
rent increases following reappraisal be limited to 10% per year to
allow business owners to gradually grow their businesses.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, agreed there should be limits on the
allowed annual rent increase.
End of public comment.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
Council authorizes implementation of items 1, 2, 3, 4 that staff
recommended for implementation in the staff report and that furthermore
Council authorizes Harbor Director Schiafone to establish a HAB Ad-Hoc
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subcommittee at his discretion to pursue the two items in the report of
percentage rent and lease extensions but also to study the impact on
sublessees of the lease policy and provide possible recommendations to
protect their interests and also fourth to establish a policy for
implementation of a harbor walk fund as possible.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.e Review and possible Approval of a One-Year Lease Agreement for
695 Harbor Street property as Chamber office space and the Scope
of Work for Fiscal Year (FY) 24-25 Economic Development Services
Contract with Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=vot1xuSwBvV7fc8O&t=10107
Council Member Ford recused herself due to potential economic conflict
and left the dais at 8:22 p.m.
City Manager Kimball presented the proposed economic development
contract and introduced Jocelyn Brennan, Interim CEO for the Morro Bay
Chamber of Commerce who presented an overview of past
accomplishments and proposed scope of work for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.e.
https://youtu.be/3q3ARtdEwOc?si=AIPh_A89Nxzu3Hrb&t=11522
Ray Riordan, Morro Bay, appreciated Ms. Brennan's presentation
and spoke in support of contracting with the Chamber for Economic
Development services.
Judy Salamacha, Morro Bay, spoke in support of the proposed
Economic Development contract.
Cherise Hansson, Chair of Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce,
urged the City to continue contracting with the Chamber for
Economic Development services at the previous level.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, appreciated the City's cautionary
approach and commented on the need for a visitor's center.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, felt it was inappropriate to link
deliberations regarding rental of building with a service contracts
and hoped going forward it wouldn't be perceived the City is paying
the Chamber to lobby on behalf of its members.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, appreciated the presentation and echoed
concerns about source of funds for this contract.
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End of public comment.
There was Council consensus to go past 9:30 p.m. to finish this item.
Motion by Council Member Edwards
Seconded by Mayor Wixom
1. Approve a one-year Lease Agreement for office space at 695
Harbor Street; and
2. Approve the Scope of Work for a one-year Economic Development
Services Contract with the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce for
FY 24/25 with the reduction to the portion of New Day in Morro Bay
in half ($7,500) then staff to bring back to Council in six months for
further direction.
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, and Council Member Edwards
Recused (1): Council Member Ford
CARRIED (4 to 0)
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m.
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk