HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2023-01-10 Regular Meeting Minutes - signedMINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING – JANUARY 10, 2023
VETERAN’S MEMORIAL HALL /
TELECONFERENCE – 5:30 P.M.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 (2021-22) and Government Code section 54953 this Meeting will be
conducted in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual public participation.
PRESENT: Carla Wixom Mayor
Jennifer Ford Council Member
Laurel Barton Council Member
Cyndee Edwards Council Member
Zara Landrum Council Member
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Scott Collins City Manager
Chris Neumeyer City Attorney
Dana Swanson City Clerk
Emily Conrad Acting Assistant City Manager/Admin Services Dir.
Greg Kwolek Public Works Director
Scot Graham Community Development Director
Daniel McCrain Fire Chief
Jody Cox Police Chief
Eric Endersby Harbor Director
ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wixom called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m., with all but Council Member Barton present.
Council Member Barton joined the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
RECOGNITION – None
CLOSED SESSION REPORT – City Attorney Neumeyer stated no reportable action was taken by the
City Council in accordance with the Brown Act.
MAYOR & COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & PRESENTATIONS
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=174
Mayor Wixom announced that due to the storm and to minimize travel, Item C-1, Advisory Board
interviews would be continued to a future meeting, likely on January 24, 2023.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=729
PRESENTATIONS
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=1065
• Proclamation commending and honoring Police Chief Jody Cox on his retirement
PUBLIC COMMENT
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=1545
Joan Behrick, Morro Bay, spoke in opposition to the Vistra battery storage project.
AGENDA NO: A-1 MEETING DATE: February 14, 2023
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 10, 2023
Bill Martony, Morro Bay, appreciated the City’s storm response, suggested the decision to increase
building heights in the downtown area be revisited by the current Council, and the Tri-W property was a
better location for the Vistra battery storage project.
Sharon O’Leary, Morro Bay, provided an update on the outreach efforts being provided by the
Community Resource Connections office.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, spoke regarding the importance of clearing debris to prevent flooding.
Paul Donnelly, Morro Bay, spoke regarding yesterday’s storm and associated traffic issues and
commented on the WRF Project, asking when it was expected to be complete.
Nancy Bast, Morro Bay, shared her wish list for the City in 2023 as submitted in agenda correspondence.
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, appreciated storm information shared via the City website Hot Topics,
complimented retired Police Chief Jody Cox, and urged the Council to pay more attention to money
being spent.
Steve Mathieu, Morro Bay, compared the City’s response to the 1995 flood to this event, expressing
frustration with the delayed response.
Kate DeWeese, Morro Bay, shared the effect the storm had on her home and business and need for
FEMA help.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, expressed concern for those who were displaced due to storm damage,
asked for clarification regarding the City Park Transit Hub project, and inquired about a police car being
parked at Morro Bay Blvd. and Kern Avenue.
Erica Crawford, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, provided an update on efforts to support the
business owners during and after the storm.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, appreciated the work that was done during the storm and requested the
annual water quality analysis be expanded to include other categories of contaminants and toxins and
sent out in the water bill.
Carole Truesdale, Morro Bay, appreciated the City’s storm response.
Linda Winters, Morro Bay, commented on the storm response and requested FEMA information be
posted on the City website.
Mayor Wixom closed public comment.
Staff presented an emergency item for Council consideration:
I. FINDINGS TO ADD EMERGENCY ITEM TO AGENDA; ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 05-23
PROCLAIMING AND AFFIRMING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY, AND
CONFIRMING AND RATIFYING PROCLAMATION BY CITY’S DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY
SERVICES OF EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY, IN RESPONSE TO 2023 WINTER
STORM SURGE; (CITY MANAGER)
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=4373
City Manager Collins and City Attorney Neumeyer presented the item and recommended the
City Council take the following action:
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 10, 2023
1. Make the necessary findings to add this agenda item as an emergency item to the agenda
less than 72 hours prior to the meeting; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 05-23 Proclaiming and Affirming the Existence of a Local Emergency
and Confirming and Ratifying the Proclamation by the City’s Director of Emergency Services
of Existence of a Local Emergency in response to the 2023 Winter Storm Surge.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment regarding making findings to add the Emergency Item to
the agenda.
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=4748
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, suggested Council make a motion to add the item to the agenda.
The public comment period was closed.
MOTION: Council Member Barton moved the Council make the findings as stated on the
agenda: 1. There is a need to take immediate action; and 2) the need for action
came to the attention of the local agency subsequent to the agenda being posted;
and 3) an emergency situation exists being an event “that severely impairs public
health, safety or both” (Gov. Code section 54956.5). The motion was seconded
by Council Member Edwards and carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment regarding proclaiming and affirming the existence of a local
emergency.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, favored granting the City Manager the power to do take additional preemptive
actions should we have a recurrence of the flood and to pursue County, State, and Federal funding.
Paul Donnelly, Morro Bay, recommended the City have emergency drills to ensure they can obtain
necessary resources.
Joan Behrick, Morro Bay, spoke regarding needs of unsheltered residents.
Sharon O’Leary, Morro Bay, listed various services available to unsheltered residents including
Transitions Mental Health, Laundry of Love, CAPSLO, Department of Social Services and others.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, suggested using Nextdoor to request support and assistance from
community members.
Sharon O’Leary, Morro Bay, added further comment regarding community needs and available support.
The public comment period was closed.
MOTION: Council Member Ford moved to adopt Resolution No. 05-23 Proclaiming and
Affirming the Existence of a Local Emergency and Confirming and Ratifying the
Proclamation by the City’s Director of Emergency Services of Existence of a Local
Emergency in response to the 2023 Winter Storm Surge. The motion was
seconded by Council Member Barton and carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
A. CONSENT AGENDA
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=6154
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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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 10, 2023
A-1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 13, 2022, CITY COUNCIL MEETING; (CITY
CLERK)
RECOMMENDATION: Approve as submitted.
A-2 APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR PRO TEMPORE; ESTABLISH VARIOUS COUNCIL SUB-
COMMITTEES FOR 2023; AND, APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES ON
DISCRETIONARY BOARDS, COUNCIL LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS AND COUNCIL SUB-
COMMITTEES; (MAYOR WIXOM/CITY CLERK)
RECOMMENDATION: Appoint Council Member Jen Ford as Mayor Pro Tempore; establish
various Council Sub-Committees for 2023; and appoint representatives to serve on the
various County or Regional Discretionary Boards, Council Liaison Assignments and Sub-
Committees for calendar year 2023 as shown on the attached appointment list.
A-3 RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS RELATED TO THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF A
STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19 AND RE-AUTHORIZING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SAFETY THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES OF
THE CITY VIA REMOTE TELECONFERENCING (INCLUDING PARTIALLY REMOTE) FOR A
30-DAY PERIOD PURSUANT TO THE RALPH M. BROWN ACT AS AMENDED BY ASSEMBLY
BILL NO. 361; UPDATE ON REMOTE MEETINGS PURSUANT TO NEW ASSEMBLY BILL NO.
2449; (CITY ATTORNEY)
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends Council consider adoption of attached
Resolution No. 01-23 reauthorizing for public health and safety the conduct of public
meetings of the legislative bodies of the City via remote teleconferencing (including
partially remote) for 30 days, thereby allowing the City Council and the City’s advisory
bodies to meet remotely (including partially remote) through February 9, 2023.
With approval of this motion and until such further notice, City Council and advisory
bodies will continue to hold their meetings in public at the Veterans Hall, with the option
for individual Councilmembers and advisory body members to teleconference.
A-4 RESOLUTION NO. 02-23 APPROVING ADJUSTMENT TO LEASE SITE MAPS FOR LEASE
SITES 65-66 AND 65W-66W AT 571 EMBARCADERO ROAD; (CITY ENGINEER)
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends City Council approve the adjustment to Lease
Sites 65-66 and 65W-66W at 571 Embarcadero by adopting Resolution No. 02-23.
A-5 APPLICATION FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT; (FIRE
DEPARTMENT)
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Fire Department to submit applications to the
California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Grant program for hydraulic extrication
equipment and airbags.
A-6 PROCLAMATION COMMENDING AND HONORING HARBOR DIRECTOR ERIC ENDERSBY
ON HIS RETIREMENT; (ADMINISTRATION)
RECOMMENDATION: Approved as submitted
A-7 PROCLAMATION COMMENDING AND HONORING POLICE CHIEF JODY COX ON HIS
RETIREMENT; (ADMINISTRATION)
RECOMMENDATION: Approved as submitted
5
MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 10, 2023
Mayor Wixom opened the public comment for the Consent Agenda.
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=6173
Cathy Novak, Morro Bay, spoke on behalf of the leaseholder regarding Item A-4, responding to
comments submitted via agenda correspondence.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, asked to speak regarding items A-4, A-5, A-6 and A-7.
Betty Winholtz, raised questions on Item A-4, urged the Council to not adopt the monthly resolution
provided in Item A-3, and commented on the discretionary appointments proposed in Item A-2.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, spoke in opposition to Item A-3.
Dan Sedley, Morro Bay, urged the Council to vote no on Item A-3.
Kristen Headland, Morro Bay, spoke regarding Item A-2
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, raised a procedural point of order, stating his belief the Council should pull
items, then open public comment for individual items.
The public comment period was closed.
Mayor pulled Items A-2 & A-3. Council Member Edwards pulled Item A-4.
MOTION: Council Member Barton moved approval of Items A-1 and A-5 through A-7. The motion
was seconded by Council Member Ford and carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
A-2 APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR PRO TEMPORE; ESTABLISH VARIOUS COUNCIL SUB-
COMMITTEES FOR 2023; AND, APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES ON
DISCRETIONARY BOARDS, COUNCIL LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS AND COUNCIL SUB-
COMMITTEES; (MAYOR WIXOM/CITY CLERK)
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=7285
Mayor Wixom recommended Council Member Edwards replace staff as the alternate to the County
Water Resources Advisory Committee and asked to remove the REACH liaison for further review.
MOTION: Council Member Barton moved approval of Item A-2 with changes suggested for
representative to the County Water Resource Advisory Committee and to remove
REACH for further review and bring back to Council. The motion was seconded by
Council Member Ford and carried 5-0.
A-3 RESOLUTION MAKING FINDINGS RELATED TO THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF A
STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19 AND RE-AUTHORIZING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
AND SAFETY THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES OF
THE CITY VIA REMOTE TELECONFERENCING (INCLUDING PARTIALLY REMOTE) FOR A
30-DAY PERIOD PURSUANT TO THE RALPH M. BROWN ACT AS AMENDED BY ASSEMBLY
BILL NO. 361; UPDATE ON REMOTE MEETINGS PURSUANT TO NEW ASSEMBLY BILL NO.
2449; (CITY ATTORNEY)
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=7342
MOTION: Mayor Wixom moved to deny extension of the state of emergency and deny Item A-3.
The motion was seconded by Council Member Landrum and failed 2-3 with Council
Members Barton, Edwards and Ford opposed.
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MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 10, 2023
MOTION: Council Member Barton moved to approve Item A-3. The motion was seconded by
Council Member Ford and carried 3-2 by roll call vote with Council Member Landrum and
Mayor Wixom opposed.
A-4 RESOLUTION NO. 02-23 APPROVING ADJUSTMENT TO LEASE SITE MAPS FOR LEASE
SITES 65-66 AND 65W-66W AT 571 EMBARCADERO ROAD; (CITY ENGINEER)
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=7853
MOTION: Council Member Edwards moved to approve Resolution No. 02-23 approving the
adjustment to the lease site maps lease sites 65-66 and 65W-66W at 571 Embarcadero
Road. The motion was seconded by Council Member Landrum and carried 5-0 by roll call
vote.
The Council took a brief recess at 7:46 p.m. and reconvened at 8:02 p.m.
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
C. BUSINESS ITEMS
C-1 ADVISORY BOARD INTERVIEWS
This item was continued to a future meeting.
C-2 ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 03-23 FOR AWARD OF BID – PROJECT NO. MB2020-SD03,
ELENA SLOPE REPAIR AND UTILITIES REPLACEMENT PROJECT; (PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT)
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=8994
Public Works Director Kwolek presented the staff report and, along with City Engineer Riddiough,
responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item C-2.
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=10147
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, took exception the low bidder must be awarded the bid, expressed
concern about the work experience and history of the contractor selected and opposed the
recommended project contingency.
Barry Branin, Morro Bay, noted this is a critical project and asked the City accelerate repair of
the main sewer line at Beachcomber.
Paul Donnelly, Morro Bay, raised various concerns about the project.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, urged the Council to give preference to local contractors.
Bill Martony, Morro Bay, asked how the City can bring down the cost of these projects.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, commented on the need to act efficiently and asked if City policy still
allowed the Council to give preference to local bidders.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, opposed the 20% contingency and importance of securing
easements to avoid delays.
The public comment period for Item C-2 was closed.
7
MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 10, 2023
MOTION: Council Member Barton moved to adopt Resolution No. 03-23 to award the bid
for this project, the Elena Slope Repair and Utilities Replacement Project, in an
amount not to exceed $411,838 to Rehak Construction. The motion was second
by Council Member Edwards and carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
C-3 APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF ELEVEN MOBILE LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION
CAMERAS FROM VIGILANT SOLUTIONS; (POLICE DEPARTMENT)
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=12053
Interim Police Chief Watkins presented the staff report and responded to Council inquiries.
There was Council consensus the meeting go past 9:30 p.m. to complete the remaining business
items.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item C-3.
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=13888
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, spoke in support of the item.
Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, opposed the purchase, expressing concern about the growing
security and surveillance in our country.
Nattalia Merzoyan, Morro Bay, suggested starting with one camera for one year.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, was concerned with how much time the coordinator will spend on the
program.
The public comment period for Item C-3 was closed.
MOTION: Mayor Wixom moved to approve Item C-3, approval of purchase of license plate
recognition cameras. The motion was seconded by Council Member Ford and
carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
C-4 ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 04-23 ESTABLISHING THE 2023 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING CALENDAR, AND CITY GOALS AND BUDGET DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE;
(CITY MANAGER)
https://youtu.be/E_JWySiBjz8?t=14861
City Manager Collins presented the staff report and responded to Council inquiries.
Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item C-4.
Terry Simons, Morro Bay, agreed the Council can accomplish the work needed in 21 meetings,
recommended staff compress the agendas, and looked forward to goal development process.
Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, objected to a July meeting break and asked to add a meeting in July.
Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, requested Council meeting start time return to 6:00 p.m.
Erica Crawford, Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce, looked forward to participating in the goals
development process and announced related upcoming events.
The public comment period for Item C-4 was closed.
8
MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING – JANUARY 10, 2023
MOTION: Mayor Wixom moved approval of Item C-4. The motion was seconded by Council
Member Barton and carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
D. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
E. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m.
Recorded by:
Dana Swanson
City Clerk
A1 CC_2023-01-10 Regular Meeting Minutes
Final Audit Report 2023-02-16
Created:2023-02-16
By:Heather Goodwin (hgoodwin@morrobayca.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAARPaA2uuopeET24tggGbNgLhMW5YaXGyM
"A1 CC_2023-01-10 Regular Meeting Minutes" History
Document created by Heather Goodwin (hgoodwin@morrobayca.gov)
2023-02-16 - 11:47:37 PM GMT
Document emailed to Dana Swanson (dswanson@morrobayca.gov) for signature
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