HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 20-23 Requesting Offshore Wind Project UpdatesRESOLUTION NO. 20-23
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF MORRO BAY, CALIFORNIA
PROVIDING FOR REGULAR COUNCIL UPDATES ON OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY
LEGISLATION AND DEVELOPMENT; REQUESTING PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL, STATE AND
FEDERAL MEETINGS REGARDING OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY LEGISLATION AND
DEVELOPMENT; AND, REQUESTING NOTIFICATION AND UPDATES ON PENDING STATE
AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION RELATED TO OFFSHORE WIND DEVELOPMENT
THE CITY COUNCIL
City of Morro Bay, California
WHEREAS, water and coastal -dependent commercial activities are the economic and cultural
heart of many coastal communities; and
WHEREAS, water and coastal -dependent commercial activities that depend on coastal access
include, but are not limited to, commercial and recreational fishing, seafood processing, mariculture
and aquaculture, boating, boat hauling and repair, marine construction, and tourism; and
WHEREAS, the City of Morro Bay is uniquely located and situated to capitalize on the waters
of Morro Bay and the adjacent Pacific Ocean; and
WHEREAS, the Morro Bay estuary is a national and state treasure, a vital ecological resource
whose health affects our health and the vibrancy of our community and economy; and
WHEREAS, the City of Morro Bay has a responsibility to protect this vital resource to improve
our quality of life and that of the generations to come; and
WHEREAS, successful offshore wind energy infrastructure development in California requires
broad stakeholder and local community support; and
WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced that would accelerate the approval,
implementation, and operation of offshore wind energy projects, and it is anticipated similar legislation
will be introduced in the future; and
WHEREAS, the City of Morro Bay recognizes the importance of remaining actively engaged in
discussions and decision -making process related to offshore wind energy, including encouraging
industrial representatives to meaningfully engage the commercial and recreational fishing industries
to address impacts of offshore wind development; and
WHEREAS, the City of Morro Bay will be impacted by the development of offshore wind
energy off the central California coast and has an interest in being included in all meetings and
discussions regarding offshore wind energy legislation and development and ensuring appropriate
representation of stakeholders.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay,
California, as follows:
1. Updates.
The City Council of the City of Morro Bay directs the City Manager to provide regular
and timely updates to the City Council on pending offshore wind project legislation at
the State and federal level, including, but not limited to, California Assembly Bill 3
01181.0001/872415.1
(Offshore Wind Advancement Act) and California Assembly Bill 80 (Offshore Wind
Coastal Protection Act); and
2. Meetings.
a. The City Council authorizes City Officials (the Mayor, City Manager, the Council
Sub -Committee on Offshore Wind Energy, or their designee(s)) to attend
meetings, committee hearings, and all related events concerning both
legislation regarding, as well as potential/actual development of, offshore wind
energy projects off of the Central California coast, to ensure a "place at the
table" for the community and residents of the City of Morro Bay as well as the
commercial fishing industry, and subsequently to provide status updates to the
full City Council on offshore wind development that may impact the residents
and community of the City of Morro Bay as well as the commercial fishing
industry.
b. To this end the Mayor and the City Manager are hereby authorized to request
such attendance at these events through correspondence and communications
on behalf of the Council; and
3. Notices.
a. The City Council respectfully requests henceforth:
i. timely notification from all relevant local, state and federal authorities, of
upcoming meetings, deliberations, and actions as they become known
to such authorities, concerning legislation regarding, or potential/actual
development of, offshore wind energy projects off of the Central
California coast, and
ii. regular updates from all local, state or federal legislative committees
involved with offshore wind energy, specifically the Select Committee on
Offshore Wind Energy and the Joint Committee on Fisheries and
Aquaculture, concerning legislation regarding, or potential/actual
development of, such offshore wind energy projects.
b. To this end the Mayor and the City Manager are hereby authorized to request
such notifications through correspondence and communications on behalf of
the Council from the appropriate authorities.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Morro Bay at a regular meeting
thereof held on the 111 day of April 2023 on the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Wixom, Barton, Edwards, Ford, Landrum
None
None
None
None
D F-21-H.-TV �VTW-N One
C1� Dill
CARLA WIXOM, Mayor
01181.0001/872415.1