HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2025-03-11 Regular Meeting Minutes
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
March 11, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
209 Surf St., Morro Bay, CA
Members Present: Mayor Carla Wixom
Council Member Cyndee Edwards
Council Member Jeff Eckles
Council Member Zara Landrum
Council Member Bill Luffee
Staff Present: City Manager Yvonne Kimball
Interim City Attorney Robert Schultz
City Clerk Dana Swanson
Finance Director Emily Conrad
Public Works Director Greg Kwolek
Community Development Director Airlin Singewald
Police Chief Amy Watkins
Fire Chief Dan McCrain
Harbor Vitality Director Chris Munson
_____________________________________________________________________
1. ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. with all members present.
2. MOMENT OF SILENCE
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORTS
4.a Closed Session Report
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=MIqos9Fk6IRdh7y_&t=46
Interim City Attorney Schultz announced the Council met in Closed
Session and discussed two items. Regarding Morro Elementary, the
Council directed staff to reengage with the district regarding the potential
purchase of the property. Regarding Vistra property, no reportable action
was taken in closed session.
4.b Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and
Presentations
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https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=7VteUC2eh0qWSCHK&t=78
4.c City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=GJekvjTP1kL89EiO&t=753
4.d Subcommittee Reports - Verbal Update of Current Subcommittee
Activities
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=lps-lmnaL8mnaMlU&t=865
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
None
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=0P0hLBqiK3bR_wEA&t=935
Kiernan Cottle, Morro Bay, suggested the City adopt an ordinance
banning audio bird scarers, prevent low military flyovers, and address light
pollution.
Dina Lundquist, Morro Bay Chamber CEO, announced upcoming events.
Jeremiah O'Brien spoke on behalf of the Morro Bay Commercial
Fishermen's Organization regarding Item 7.c, respectfully requesting the
Council include Mark Tognazzini as their representative on the Waterfront
Master Plan Advisory Committee.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, was pleased the City was taking action
regarding Morro Elementary and expressed concern the significant
amount of capital expenditures on infrastructure were not on this agenda.
Margaret Carman, Morro Bay, appreciated a welcoming city council and
staff.
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.
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https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=Ry07J284wxfWuGEa&t=1611
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, asked to clarify whether Morro Elementary
was on Consent then declined to speak.
End of public comment.
Council Member Eckles asked to pull Item 7.c.
Motion by Council Member Landrum
Seconded by Council Member Eckles
Approve consent agenda items 7.a and 7.b as submitted.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member Eckles,
Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
7.a Approval of Minutes
Approve as submitted.
a. February 25, 2025 - Regular Council Meeting
b. February 25, 2025 - Special Closed Session Meeting
7.b Adoption of Resolution No. 10-25 Approving Revised Records
Retention Schedule
Adopt Resolution No. 10-25 amending the City of Morro Bay Records
Retention Schedule and authorizing subsequent updates necessary to
maintain consistency with changes in State law and Secretary of State
guidelines to be made without further action by the City Council, with the
consent of the Department Head, City Clerk, City Attorney and City
Manager.
7.c Adoption of Resolution No. 11-25 approving the formation of the
Waterfront Master Plan Advisory Committee (WMPAC)
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=bLDApMtFis7ETpuC&t=1717
Council Member Eckles announced he spoke with Harbor Advisory Board
members and Commercial Fishermen's Organization and supported the
alternative to include a representative from the Morro Bay Commercial
Fishermen's Organization on the Committee.
Mayor Wixom invited Mr. O'Brien to the podium to clarify whether others in
the organization expressed interested in the position. He responded the
officers and directors were unanimous in their support to have Mr.
Tognazzini fill the role.
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The Mayor added for those advisory board members with terms ending in
2026, participation on the WMPAC would not automatically extend beyond
their term, but they could reapply to continue in their seat.
Motion by Council Member Eckles
Seconded by Council Member Luffee
Adopt Resolution No. 11-25 approving the formation of the Waterfront
Master Plan Advisory Committee (WMPAC) with the addition of a
representative from the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen's Organization
and that person being Mark Tognazzini as recommended by the delegate
of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermen's Organization.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
8. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
None
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.a Harbor Department Reclassification - Business Division
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=uzbgluCGGlXcbDIZ&t=2069
Harbor Vitality Director Munson presented the report and responded to
Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=Vp0iBgr64OPwrI5M&t=3517
Cal Myers, Morro Bay, expressed concern about budget impacts
given the level of deferred maintenance but, overall, was su pportive
of the item.
Jeremiah O'Brien, Morro Bay, offered strong support for the
proposed staffing changes.
Nic De Angelis, Morro Bay, spoke in support of the item.
End of public comment.
Motion by Council Member Luffee
Seconded by Council Member Eckles
1. Approve reclassification of the Harbor Business Coordinator
classification to Harbor Business Manager and consolidation of two
part-time temporary Office Assistant positions to one full-time Office
Assistant IV, and
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2. Adopt Resolution No. 12-25 approving the new Harbor Business
Manager Job Classification and Job Description, and.
3. Adopt Resolution No. 13-25 amending the Management Salary and
Benefits, and
4. Adopt Resolution No. 14-25 approving updated FY 2024-25, 2025-
26, and 2026-27 Pay Schedules.
Ayes (5): Mayor Wixom, Council Member Edwards, Council Member
Eckles, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Luffee
CARRIED (5 to 0)
9.b Short-Term Rental Ordinance Implementation Update
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=I_vKiV41wr9bCeZ4&t=4816
Community Development Director Singewald presented the report and
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.b.
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=dSrQSYCAvbA0fRzT&t=7941
Maggie Juren, Beach-N-Bay Getaways & URelax Vacation Rentals,
commented on permit fees and offered the renewal process will
flesh out some of those paying the $500 minimum TOT annually.
She added 175 STRs equate to 2.75% of total housing in Morro
Bay and the bigger issue may be 2nd homes that sit empty several
months out of the year.
Robert Elzer, Beach-N-Bay Getaways & URelax Vacation Rentals,
believed many of the complaints received are from 2nd homes and
not vacation rentals. He urged the City to allow homes on the wait
list to obtain licenses sooner than later and to allow permits to be
transferred to a family member upon the death of the owner.
Nick Juren, Beach-N-Bay Getaways & URelax Vacation Rentals,
provided a handout demonstrating the financial contribution the
homes they represent provide to the City.
Michelle Leicester-Cadaret, Morro Bay, requested complaints
previously submitted to fire and police be reviewed, signage be
prominent and legible, wood burning fire pits be prohibited, and the
noise ordinance be enforced.
Ian Starkey, Rockstar Properties, noted STR revenues are
declining and will continue to decline as the ordinance cap and
buffer are enforced. He appreciated business licenses and
permitting were being brought back in-house.
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Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, appreciated the report and looked
forward to the outcome.
Helene Finger, Morro Bay, appreciated the report and comments
articulating the difference between an inactive rental vs. non-
compliance for something like parking. She believed the ordinance,
as written, prohibits a permit holder from just paying $500 in
transient occupancy tax.
Judy Setting, Morro Bay, hoped for definitive rules for parking,
maximum vehicles per unit, definite quiet times, and no fireworks.
Nic DeAngelis, Morro Bay, offered comments and suggestions to
address compliance issues and ensure compliance with the
ordinance.
End of public comment.
As a receive and file item, no formal action was taken by the City Council.
10. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
https://youtu.be/7Gbgw4eLsR0?si=qWQn_p2Bu6wpM_nc&t=10041
Council Member Landrum wished to confirm Council will receive quarterly reports
on implementation of the current STR ordinance with a comprehensive update
following a full cycle of the annual renewal process in February 2026.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
/s/ Dana Swanson, City Clerk