HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2024-08-27 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
August 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
Public Works Director Greg Kwolek
Community Development Director Airlin Singewald
Police Chief Amy Watkins
Fire Chief Dan McCrain
_____________________________________________________________________
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom established a quorum and called the meeting to order at 5:31 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 closed session meeting was held.
4.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and
Presentations
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=7yiemQ0k7BqAq7eS&t=158
4.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=ac4GILNVAIyQXeFN&t=957
4.d Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee
Activities
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https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=iqgH_nAeJr0JsVwR&t=1066
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/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=zibRyeKAK02dRA0j&t=1241
Cherise Hansson, Chair of the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors, introduced Dina Lundquist, the Chamber's newly appointed
Chief Executive Officer.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO, introduced
herself to the community.
Garry Johnson, Morro Bay, shared information gleaned from his research
on various types of lithium batteries.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, was re-inspired to raise the American flag
demonstrating her national pride.
Rachel Wilson, Cayucos, commented on the proposed BESS Project and
issues raised in the August 2nd Coastal Commission letter.
An unnamed resident offered comments.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, requested the Council respond to Senator
Laird's offer to hold informational meetings regarding the costs and
potential rate impacts of extending Diablo Canyon power plant operations
and suggested the Community Center be offered as a venue.
Tina Metzger, Morro Bay, requested the Council direct a pause in
accepting new BESS project applications until siting and development
standards have been approved.
End of public comment.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=6--lFiPhVT_yGeCo&t=2500
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.
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Mayor Wixom opened public comment for items on the Consent Agenda.
Steve Paige, Morro Bay, commented on Item 7c, requesting the draft EIR
for the BESS project be amended to address additional concerns.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on Item 7c, questioning the
timeline for deliverables and suggesting the large number of comments
resulted from an inadequate draft EIR. Regarding Items 7f and 7g, she
questioned the budget and opined it was odd to have a middle man
overseeing the pavement project.
End of public comment.
Council Member Landrum pulled Items 7c and 7g.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
Approve Items 7.a, 7.b, 7.d, 7.e, 7.f, 7.h & 7.i 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. July 23, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
b. August 13, 2024 - Special Closed Session Meeting
c. August 13, 2024 - Regular Council Meeting
7.b Acceptance of California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Grant
1. Authorize the Fire Department to accept the grant award from the
California Office of Traffic Safety Grant program for hydraulic
extrication equipment; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to approve execution of grant related
documents, subject to City Attorney review and approval as to
form; and
3. Adopt Resolution No. 54-24 to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25
Operating & Capital Budget.
7.c Approval of Amendment No. 6 to Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Contract with Rincon Consultants for the Vistra Battery Energy
Storage System (BESS) Project at 1290 Embarcadero
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=9-_iHAWDvLHDffA6&t=2992
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Community Development Director Singewald responded to Council
questions and issues raised during public comment.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Edwards
Approve Amendment No. 6 to the EIR contract for the Vistra Battery
Energy Storage System (BESS) project EIR at 1290 Embarcadero. The
City Attorneys' Office has reviewed Amendment No. 6 (Attachment 2) as
to form, such Amendment subject to final approval as to form by the City
Attorney.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.d Award of Contract to AAAA Engineering Contracting, Inc., for the
Sequoia Court Storm Drain Repair Project
Award a contract to AAAA Engineering Contracting, Inc., for the Sequoia
Court Storm Drain Repair Project for a total of $433,840, which includes a
10% contingency budget executable by the City Manager. The contract
(Attachment 1) has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City
Attorneys' Office.
7.e Award of Contract to Hartzell General Engineering Contractor, Inc.,
for Lift Station 1 Force Main Replacement Project and Approval of
Resolution No. 55-24 Amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25
Operating & Capital Budget
1. Award a contract to Hartzell General Engineering Contractor, Inc.,
(Hartzell) for the Lift Station 1 Force Main Replacem ent Project for
a total of $414,568, which includes a 10% contingency budget
executable by the City Manager. The contract (Attachment 1) has
been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorneys'
Office; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 55-24 amending the FY 2024-25 Operating &
Capital Budget to add $69,568 to the List Station 1 Force Main
Replacement Project budget.
7.f Approval of SB-1 Funding Project List for FY 24/25 Pavement
Management Plan Project
Adopt Resolution No. 56-24 approving the Fiscal Year 2024/25 project list
for use of Senate Bill 1 (Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017)
Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds.
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7.g Approval of Contract with Filippin Engineering for Performing
Construction Management and Inspection Services for the 2024
Pavement Rehabilitation Project
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=hq64m0x8cBww6H0I&t=3810
Public Works Director Kwolek responded to Council questions and issues
raised during public comment.
Motion by Mayor Wixom
Seconded by Council Member Barton
Approve and execute contract in the amount of $334,936.80, which
includes a 10% contingency executable by the City Manager, with Filippin
Engineering (FE), to perform Construction Management and Inspection
Services for the 2024 Pavement Management project (Attachment 1). The
City Attorneys’ Office has reviewed and approved the contract with FE
(Attachment 1) as to form.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.h Adoption of Resolution No. 57-24 Approving Amendment # 1 to the
Master Lease Agreement with WBAM LLC, Lease Site 30W-33W,
Bayfront Marina located at 201 Main Street
Adopt Resolution No. 57-24, approving Amendment 1 to the Master Lease
Agreement.
7.i Central Coast Community Energy Proposed Amendment to Joint
Powers Agreement
Receive and file.
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.a Award of Contract to Souza Construction for the 2024 Pavement
Rehabilitation Project
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=OOlyRevNYvp-Jj2c&t=5028
Public Works Director Kwolek presented the report and turned to Joe
Ririe, Pavement Engineering Inc., to present pavement management
principles, assessment findings, and recommendations.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=5ZeEYB8m9ac3aRSx&t=8258
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Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, requested a list of streets to be paved.
Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, appreciated the presentation and
suggested it be included in the agenda packet for public review.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, asked how continuous
failure and slippage could be prevented on streets along
Panorama.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, agreed with the previous speaker,
noting similar damage occurs on the golf course road.
End of public comment.
Public Works Director Kwolek committed to publishing the list of streets to
be paved on the City website.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Ford
Award a contract to Souza Construction (Souza), for the 2024 Pavement
Rehabilitation Project for a total of $4,383,595.98, which includes a 10%
contingency budget executable by the City Manager. The City Attorneys’
Office has reviewed the contract with Souza (Attachment 1) as to form,
such contract subject to final approval as to form by the City Attorney prior
to full execution.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.b Authorization to Submit a Grant Application for California Coastal
Commission (CCC) Local Coastal Program (LCP) Local Assistant
Grant Program Funding and Increase Grant Budget for the
Waterfront Master Plan Update
The Council took a brief recess at 7:58 p.m. and reconvened at 8:07 p.m.
with all members present.
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=IHw-erX7IR_LqbfB&t=9462
Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=pGOy0zB FRoHbmc8s&t=9925
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, stated developing street ends along
Embarcadero did not necessarily reflect public comment and hoped
the development and correctness of which street ends should be
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developed, or retained for parking, be evaluated . Regarding
development at the Rock, she hoped there would be a project vs.
no project option.
End of public comment.
Motion by Council Member Barton
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
Adopt Resolution No. 58-24 authorizing staff to submit a grant application
for California Coastal Commission (CCC) LCP Local Assistance Grant
Program to fund the update of the City’s 1996 Waterfront Master Plan in
the amount of $750,000. This is a $250,000 increase to the amount
authorized by the City Council for the same grant application on
September 26, 2023.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.c Amend Council Policies & Procedures Section 5.5, for Elected
Officials Not Running for Office, to Conduct Town Halls Under
Section 5.5 During Election Season; and 2) Authorize Section 5.5 for
Potential for Potential Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=0ySmFhJtIUCgAESv&t=10760
City Attorney Neumeyer presented the report and responded to Council
inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.c; seeing none, the
public comment period was closed.
Following Council discussion, there was consensus to move forward with
Option A.
Motion by Council Member Ford
Seconded by Mayor Wixom
To adopt Resolution No. 59-24 with language in Option A to affirm that
Council by agendized action by consider specific exceptions to the
restrictions in Section 5.5 during election season for Council Members not
running that election season for re-election.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
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Motion by Council Member Ford
Seconded by Council Member Landrum
To approve Mayor Pro Tem Landrum's request to hold potential upcoming
town hall meetings for possible topics including homelessness, the
downtown, harbor issues, waterfront sustainability, and what local
government can do, and what is in our water, air and food. Any of those
topics are acceptable.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member
Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.d Update on Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 and 2024-25 City Council Goals
and Action Items
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=2a1ND2K2pIAm9UrQ&t=12698
City Manager Kimball presented the report and, along with Mr. Neumeyer
and Staff, responded to Council inquiries.
Council Member Ford requested discussions regarding 781 Market
Avenue come back to closed session. Mayor Wixom suggested a holistic
look at City-owned property including Teen Center or other major
properties.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.d; seeing none, the
public comment period was closed.
As a receive and file item, no formal action was taken by the Council.
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
https://youtu.be/nvV_3lwBOe8?si=Z7k4CmnzxDwEgfef&t=14813
Council Member Ford encouraged Council Members to write letters to our federal
representatives to urge improvement upon the FEMA reimbursement process.
Council Member Landrum requested a list of report of pending future agenda
items. Staff committed to sharing that working document with the Council.
Council Member Landrum commented on the request to ask Senator Laird &
Assembly Member Addis how quickly and where the meeting regarding Diablo
Canyon power plant extension would be held and offer City facilities as a
potential venue. Mayor Wixom agreed to submit a letter on the City's behalf.
Council Member Landrum requested support for a pause on processing new
BESS project applications until the City establishes and approves siting and
development standards. There was majority Council support for a review and
discussion of alternatives, the Council did not authorize the work effort to prepare
a moratorium.
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11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk