HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2024-09-10 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
September 10, 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
Police Chief Amy Watkins
Fire Chief Dan McCrain
Management Analyst Janeen Burlingame
HumanResources/Risk Manager Rachael Hendricks
_____________________________________________________________________
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom established a quorum and called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORTS
4.a Closed Session Report
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=ErceJ8Ee11TMT2Mn&t=41
City Attorney Neumeyer announced no statutorily required reportable
action was taken in closed session.
At Council's direction, he clarified closed session listings included the
phrase "various potentially interested parties" to acknowledge that if the
City was to do an RFP for the property, which was under consideration,
there would be potentially interested parties, who would be prospectively
identified by name if active negotiations occur, and that anyone the City is
in active negotiations with now were listed on the agenda.
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4.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and
Presentations
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=FzXSceRN4J-x3lIi&t=94
4.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=noiaJkWr8WAqXCPG&t=759
4.d Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee
Activities
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=0LQEZ9MShjd0LoSg&t=853
a. Water Reclamation Facility & Morro Bay / Cayucos Sanitary District
JPA
b. Morro Bay Power Plant (Vistra)
c. Offshore Wind Energy
d. Downtown Design District
5. RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=-XGemeDoQG96LC6s&t=1142
Garry Johnson, Morro Bay, announced he would be on the Rock radio
station, 97.3 Saturday morning to talk about the BESS project and battery
technology.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, enjoyed and appreciated the events celebrating
Morro Bay's 60th anniversary.
Jon Nowaczyk and Natalie Teichmann, Let's Get Tuned, spoke to the
closed session item regarding 781 Market Avenue, shared the benefits
their business offers Morro Bay, and asked that Council extend their
lease.
Rachel Wilson, Cayucos, commented on the proposed BESS project and
urged the Council to prioritize the safety of local residents.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, thanked those who helped with and attended
Morro Bay's 60th anniversary parade, invited residents to attend
Recreation & Parks Commission meetings the 3rd Thursday of the month,
inquired about potential County funding for efforts related to offshore wind,
and expressed safety concerns at the intersection of Beach and Main
Streets.
An unnamed person offered comments.
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Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, requested the City take action to
remedy health and safety concerns related to the burned house on
Trinidad.
End of 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.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for items on the Consent Agenda.
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=YmujUM_8Gh -TeC6f&t=2522
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, raised questions regarding Item 7.d.
An unnamed person offered comments.
Mayor Wixom sought Council concurrence to allow an announcement that had
been missed during general public comment.
Mary Ann Gustafson, San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club, announced the 53rd
Annual Lighthouse Century Bicycling Event to be held Saturday,
September 28th.
End of public comment.
Motion by Council Member Edwards
Seconded by Council Member Ford
Approve consent agenda items 7.a through 7.d
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. August 27, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
7.b Approval of Proclamations
a. Proclamation recognizing September 15-October 15, 2024 as "National
Hispanic Heritage Month"
Approve as submitted.
7.c Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate at League of California
Cities 2024 Annual Conference Business Meeting
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1. Select City Manager Kimball, as the voting delegate for the
upcoming annual business meeting to be held at the League of
California Cities Annual Conference; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to complete the League of California Cities’
online submission form attesting that council action was taken and
affirming the selection of the voting delegate.
7.d National Opioid Settlement Agreements with Kroger Co.
1. Approve Settlement Agreements and Participation Forms for the
City’s participation in the National Opioid Settlement Agreements
with Kroger Co.
2. Approve the California State-Subdivision Agreements Regarding
Distribution and Use of Settlement Funds relating to the National
Opioid Settlement Agreements with Kroger Co.
3. Adopt Resolution No. 60-24 approving and authorizing the City
Manager to carry out all necessary acts such that the City can
participate in the National Opioid Settlements with Kroger Co.,
including signing necessary documents and transmittal thereof as
necessary.
4. Approve disbursement of initial partial settlement funds to County
(default option) while reserving option for direct distribution of
further settlement funds to City later in time.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
None
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.a Advisory Board Interviews and Appointments
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=gJajvGLLhLUwSPmU&t=3029
Mayor Wixom invited CFAC applicant Sarah Love to the podium to
introduce herself and share the reason for her interest in serving on the
Citizens Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee.
The Council interviewed Jennifer Madrid and Christopher DeMoville for
consideration of appointment to CTAC and voted by written ballot. Clerk
Swanson read the results into the record. Christopher DeMoville received
three votes (Council Members Barton, Edwards and Ford) and was
appointed as the City's representative to SLOCOG's Citizens
Transportation Advisory Committee.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
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Appointed Sarah Love to f ill an unscheduled vacancy on the Citizens
Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee for a term ending January 31,
2026.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
The Council voted by written ballot to appoint Christopher DeMoville as
the City's representative to SLOCOG's Citizens Transportation Advisory
Committee for a 4-year term ending October 31, 2028.
Ayes (3): Council Member Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council
Member Ford
Noes (2): Mayor Wixom, and Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (3 to 2)
9.b Consolidation of Morro Bay Transit Administration, Operations, and
Maintenance into the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=RSzsRzzRLsFgDO3z&t=4462
Public Works Director Kwolek and Management Analyst Burlingame
presented the report and, along with RTA Executive Director Geoff Straw,
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=APmLm9sI8GT2w03q&t=8607
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, opposed any form of outsourcing and
urged the City to continue in-house management of transit
services.
Mary Witkowski, Morro Bay, expressed concern about transferring
services to RTA and believed there was a lack of awareness about
available services.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, was concerned transferring
services to RTA would limit use of the trolley for local events,
suggested driving transit vehicles back and forth to San Luis
Obispo would increase pollutants, and agreed with the need to
advertise and promote available services.
End of public comment.
Ms. Burlingame, Mr. Kwolek and Mr. Straw responded to additional
questions.
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Motion by Council Member Barton
Seconded by Council Member Ford
1. Authorize consolidation of Morro Bay Transit (MBT) administration,
operations, and maintenance into the San Luis Obispo Regional
Transit Authority (RTA) and direct staff to return to Council with an
agreement for provision of MBT services by the RTA for
authorization to execute, such agreement pending and conditional
upon any required meet and confer or applicable union
negotiations; and
2. Direct staff to prepare an amendment with MV Transportation (a
third-party vendor providing driver and dispatch services) to extend
the current agreement to align with RTA consolidation and return to
Council for authorization to execute.
Ayes (4): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Barton, Council Member
Edwards, and Council Member Ford
Noes (1): Council Member Landrum
CARRIED (4 to 1)
9.c Approval of Updated Harbor Vitality Director Classification and Job
Description Revised Pay Schedules, and Amendment to
Compensation and Benefits Resolution for City Department Heads to
Reflect Updates
The Council took a brief recess at 8:28 p.m. and reconvened at 8:35 p.m.
with all members present.
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=AH7A8Q9_OI32pYZx&t=10710
Human Resources/Risk Manager Hendricks presented the report and,
along with City Manager Kimball and Fire Chief McCrain, responded to
Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.c.
https://youtu.be/d3LBaLajf_o?si=XW4_ue9iF73KcPOO&t=12040
Bill Luffee, Morro Bay, stated the job description seemed too broad,
mentioned nothing about boating or safety, and questioned whether
the Director would handle only lease site negotiations or all City
real estate.
Cal Myers, Morro Bay resident and Harbor Advisory Board ("HAB")
Chair, noted some HAB members reviewed and provided individual
feedback on the proposed job description within Brown Act
confines. He opined the position had three big hats: economic
development, lease management and harbor patrol, with
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maintenance as a 4th piece. He expressed concern about the job
title and hoped the City was successful in its search.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, echoed comments by previous
speakers, understood the economic development piece but had
difficulties seeing how harbor patrol fits in. She expressed concern
this person would experience conflict balancing the various duties.
Mary Witkowski, Morro Bay, disagreed with the revised title, job
description and salary reduction, noting the Director's focus should
be on public safety, maintenance of harbor infrastructure and
maximizing waterfront assets, seeking grant opportunities for
launch ramp and revetment improvements.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, expressed concern about the proposed job
title and felt we may be asking too much out of the position,
perhaps at the expense of performing traditional duties of a Harbor
Master or Harbor Director.
End of public comment.
Staff responded to additional Council questions.
Mayor Wixom sought Council consensus to go past 9:30 p.m. to finish this
item.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Barton
1. Adopt Resolution No. 61-24 updating the Harbor Director Job
Description to Harbor Vitality Director; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 62-24 revising Fiscal Years 24-25, 25-26,
and 26-27 pay schedules, decreasing the salary for the Harbor
Vitality Director to align with other Morro Bay non-sworn director
positions; and
3. Adopt Resolution No. 63-24 amending the previously adopted
maximum compensation and benefits for certain City de partment
head positions.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m.
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk