HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2015-01-28_Special Meeting MinutesMINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING – JANUARY 28, 2015
MORRO BAY VETERAN’S HALL
209 SURF STREET – 5:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Jamie Irons Mayor
Christine Johnson Councilmember
John Headding Councilmember
Matt Makowetski Councilmember
Noah Smukler Councilmember
STAFF: Susan Slayton Administrative Services Director
Dana Swanson City Clerk
ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Irons read for the record a letter of excuse submitted by Taylor Newton asking to be
considered as a member of the Tourism Bureau Improvement District or Public Works Advisory
Boards although he was unable to attend the interviews.
MOTION: Councilmember Smukler moved the Council recognize the letter submitted by
Mr. Newton as excusable neglect. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Makowetski and carried unanimously 5-0.
The public comment period was opened.
Steve Nukes, Morro Bay, spoke to endorse Jeff Eckles for the Harbor Advisory Board, stating
Jeff has done an outstanding job and the City is very fortunate to have him as an applicant. His
experience as a Merchant Marine, boat owner, his service to the harbor community and financial
experience are very beneficial to the City.
Phil Kispersky, Morro Bay, concurs with Mr. Nukes and urges the Council to support Jeff Eckles
for Harbor Advisory Board.
Leonard Gentieu, Morro Bay, concurs with previous speakers. He has a sublease and dock next
to Harbor Hut and Jeff is a huge help and liaison between Harbor office and boat owners.
During an emergency a few months ago where his hull had been breached, Harbor and Coast
Guard both responded at 9:30 at night and Jeff Eckles was there as well. He recommends the
Council bring Jeff back onto the Board.
Joan Solu, Morro Bay TBID Chair and Tourism Bureau President, spoke regarding the open
hotelier positions on the TBID Advisory Board. The largest hotel is currently in transition,
several properties are either in escrow or for sale, and some have brand new management and
unable to commit at this time; however, all are interested. She asked the Council leave the
hotelier positions open through this transition period, and re-open the application period in 90-
120 days.
AGENDA NO: A-4 MEETING DATE: February 10, 2015
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 28, 2015
Jeremiah O’Brien, spoke on behalf of the Morro Bay Quota Fund and MB Commercial
Fisherman’s Organization. He is happy there were many applications for the Harbor Advisory
Board vacancies and asks for continued support of Dana McClish and Jeff Eckles. They have
worked well with the community and have proven themselves in their positions; he asks Council
to reinstate them.
Drew Jacobson, Morro Bay, stated he is hopeful that over next two years he will see important
changes in the department and the policies that affect the bay and those that use it. They need a
Harbor Advisory Board that can remain independent and encourage and embrace community
input. It has been refreshing to have a Harbor Advisory Board that is open to input from the
community. Mr. Eckles, along with Ron Reisner and Bill Luffee have been an asset to the
community. He would like to see Mr. Eckles continue to provide autonomy and leadership
within the Harbor Advisory Board.
Ron Reisner, current member of the Harbor Advisory Board, encourages City Council to
reappoint two existing members that have submitted applications. The current board has made
dramatic efforts and produced results in making the Harbor Advisory Board more relevant than it
has in some time. There are initiatives in place and underway that these gentlemen participate in,
and more importantly a body needs an effective chair. He asks the Council keep these two
gentlemen so the Board can keep momentum moving forward.
The public comment period was closed.
The City Council interviewed the following applicants for (2) two vacant seats on the Harbor
Advisory Board, one representing Waterfront Leaseholders and one representing Recreational
Boaters: Rich Buquet, Jeff Eckles, Michael Fiamingo, Neal Maloney, Dana McClish and James
Zuur.
Council asked for clarification on which applicants were being considered for the Waterfront
Leaseholder position. Mr. Maloney confirmed he is a current Waterfront Leaseholder; Mr.
Eckles recently moved his business and is no longer a Waterfront Leaseholder.
For the Harbor Advisory Board member representing Waterfront Leaseholder, the City Council
voted by written ballot and Administrative Services Director Slayton read the results:
Neal Maloney (5 votes – Mayor Irons, Councilmembers Headding, Johnson, Makowetski and
Smukler); Neal Maloney was appointed to represent Waterfront Leaseholders on the Harbor
Advisory Board with a term ending 1/31/19.
For the Harbor Advisory Board member representing Recreational Boaters, the City Council
voted by written ballot and Administrative Services Director Slayton read the results:
Dana McClish (4 votes – Mayor Irons, Councilmembers Johnson, Makowetski & Smukler)
Jeff Eckles (1 vote – Councilmember Headding); Dana McClish was appointed to represent
Recreational Boaters on the Harbor Advisory Board with a term ending 1/31/19.
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 28, 2015
The City Council interviewed the following applicants for (2) vacant seats on the Planning
Commission: Jeffrey Cox, Gerald Luhr and Richard Sadowski.
For two (2) Planning Commission vacancies, the City Council voted by written ballot and
Administrative Services Director Slayton read the results.
Gerald Luhr and Richard Sadowski each received five votes (Mayor Irons, Councilmembers
Headding, Johnson, Makowetski & Smukler). Luhr and Sadowski were appointed to the
Planning Commission with terms ending 1/31/19.
The following applicants were interviewed for two (2) Public Works Advisory Board vacancies:
Jeffrey Cox, Taylor Newton (letter on file), Christopher Parker and Stewart Skiff.
The City Council voted by written ballot for two (2) Public Works Advisory Board vacancies,
one with term ending 1/31/19 and one with term ending 1/31/16, and Administrative Services
Director Slayton read the results.
For the term ending 1/31/19: Christopher Parker received three votes (Mayor Irons,
Councilmembers Headding and Smukler); Stewart Skiff received two votes (Councilmembers
Johnson and Makowetski). Christopher Parker was appointed to the Public Works Advisory
Board with a term ending 1/31/19.
For the term ending 1/31/16: Stewart Skiff received two votes (Councilmembers Headding and
Smukler); Christopher Parker received two votes (Councilmembers Johnson and Makowetski);
Jeffrey Cox received one vote (Mayor Irons). Stewart Skiff was appointed to the Public Works
Advisory Board with a term ending 1/31/16.
The following applicants were interviewed for the (2) Tourism Bureau Improvement District
Advisory Board member-at-large positions were interviewed: Taylor Newton (letter on file) and
Jack Smith.
The City Council voted by written ballot and Administrative Services Director Slayton read the
results:
Jack Smith received five votes (Mayor Irons, Councilmembers Headding, Johnson, Makowetski
and Smukler). Taylor Newton received three votes (Mayor Irons, Councilmembers Makowetski
and Smukler). Smith and Newton were appointed as members-at-large for the Tourism Bureau
Improvement District Advisory Board with terms ending 1/31/19.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Recorded by:
Dana Swanson
City Clerk