MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 5:30 P.m. - 9:30 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
• Interim Asst City Mgr/Admin Svcs Director Steve Conway
• Public Works Director Greg Kwolek
• Police Chief Amy Watkins
• Fire Chief Dan McCrain
• Harbor Director Ted Schiafone

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1.

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 5:39 p.m.

2.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

3.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4.

REPORTS

4.a

Closed Session Report

City Attorney Neumeyer announced no reportable action was taken in closed session. 

4.b

Mayor and Councilmembers' Reports, Announcements and Presentations

https://youtu.be/7EKbY39SDwo?si=ILPmWVpBJvxekjs3&t=121

4.c

City Manager Reports, Announcements and Presentations

https://youtu.be/7EKbY39SDwo?si=3FoNnTnpfZrWr8ne&t=741

5.

RECOGNITION AND PRESENTATIONS

6.

PUBLIC COMMENT

https://youtu.be/7EKbY39SDwo?si=WbCoZlkY6iVs0SYK&t=1536

• Linda Winters, Morro Bay, commented on Morro Bay's strong voter turnout in the March 5th Election and other recent events. 
• Barry Branin, Morro Bay, raised safety concerns regarding the proposed route for the Cayucos-Morro Bay Bike Trail connector. 
• Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, concurred with safety concerns raised by the previous speaker, commented on odors from Scout Coffee roasting activities, posed questions regarding the resident selection process for the HASLO affordable housing project, and appreciated the extended comment period for the BESS EIR.  
• An unnamed resident opposed seismic testing due to its impacts on sea life.  
• An unnamed resident offered comments.  
• Nicole Dorfman, Morro Bay, thanked everyone who attended the Save our Seas event hosted by REACT Alliance and commented on an anticipated PG&E rate increase.  

End of public comment.

7.

CONSENT AGENDA

https://youtu.be/7EKbY39SDwo?si=CmJpc6e_DM3oFzds&t=2705

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 the Consent Agenda.

• Bill Luffee, Morro Bay resident and President of Friends of Morro Bay Harbor Department thanked those who contributed to fundraising goal to purchase a Polaris UTV for the Harbor Department.  
• Terry Simons, Morro Bay, commented on Item 7.g, urging the City to consider direct potable reuse as an alternative to the current project. 
• Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, spoke regarding Items 7.b and 7.d and expressed concern about the potential project cost for the recycled water portion of the WRF Project  (Item 7.g)   
• An unnamed resident questioned the annual revenues proposed in Item 7.e. 

End of public comment.

Staff responded to questions raised during public comment.

Council Member Ford pulled Item 7.f. to recuse herself from that item due to a conflict of interest.

Council Member Landrum pulled Item 7.g.

Council Member Edwards pulled Items 7.d. and 7.h.

• Motion by Mayor Wixom
  Seconded by Council Member Ford

  Approve Consent Agenda Items 7.a, 7.b, 7.c and 7.e as submitted.

  Ayes (5)

  Council Member Barton, Council Member Ford, Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Edwards

  CARRIED (5 to 0)

7.a

Approval of Minutes

• Approve as submitted.

7.b

Update to the Harbor Department Rules and Regulations, Section 9, to align with the City's Skiff Storage Fee established in the City's Master Fee Schedule

• Adopt Resolution 17-24 updating the Harbor Department Rules and Regulations to align with the City's current adopted Master Fee Schedule for Skiff Storage Fee.

7.c

Ministerial approval of Parcel Map MP 22-0025 (3230 Beachcomber) and Acceptance of 5' Public Sewer Utility Easement

• Adopt Resolution No. 18-24 ministerially approving finality of proposed Parcel Map MB 22-0025 (which was previously approved by Planning Commission under the designation of Tentative Parcel Map PAR22-02) with a 5’ public utility easement.  

7.d

Report on attendance at the 2024 C-MANC Washington Week Meetings

• Motion by Mayor Wixom
  Seconded by Council Member Ford

  Receive and file.

  Ayes (5)

  Council Member Barton, Council Member Ford, Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Edwards

  CARRIED (5 to 0)

7.e

Adoption of Resolution No. 19-24 Approving a New Lease Agreement with Van Beurden Investments Lease site 78-81/78W-81W, Dutchman's Seafood House, 701 Embarcadero

• Adopt Resolution No. 19-24, approving 29-year Master Lease Agreement with Van Beurden Investments for lease site 78-81/78W-81W, Dutchman's Seafood House.

7.f

Authorization to accept $35,888.50 in Grant Funds from the Friends of the Morro Bay Harbor Department for the purchase of a Polaris Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) for the Harbor Department

• Council Member Ford declared a conflict on this item. (financial interest)

• Motion by Mayor Wixom
  Seconded by Council Member Landrum

  Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement accepting grant funding from the Friends of the Morro Bay Harbor Department to purchase a Polaris UTV for beach rescue operations.

  Ayes (4)	Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Barton, and Council Member Edwards
  Recused (1)	Council Member Ford

  CARRIED (4 to 0)

7.g

California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Financial Assistance Minimum Recycled Water Implementation Requirements Letter 

Staff responded to Council questions and issues raised during public comment.

• Motion by Council Member Landrum
  Seconded by Council Member Ford

  Receive and file the following letter from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) Letter regarding the minimum recycled water implementation requirements necessary to satisfy the requirements of the City’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Agreement.

  Ayes (5)

  Council Member Barton, Council Member Ford, Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Edwards

  CARRIED (5 to 0)

7.h

Authorization to reimburse Council Member Travel Expenses to attend C-MANC Washington Week Meetings

• Motion by Mayor Wixom
  Seconded by Council Member Ford

  Approve reimbursement of travel expenses of approximately $2,500 submitted by Mayor Pro Tempore Landrum to be paid from grant funds received from the Central Coast Joint Cable Fisheries Liaison Committee

  Ayes (5)

  Council Member Barton, Council Member Ford, Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, and Council Member Edwards

  CARRIED (5 to 0)

8.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS

None

9.

BUSINESS ITEMS

9.a

Key Staffing Vacancies Update

https://youtu.be/7EKbY39SDwo?si=o6ZmrmP4uDxAwNC7&t=4286

City Manager Kimball provided the report and responded to Council inquiries.

Mayor Wixom opened public comment for Item 9.a.

https://youtu.be/7EKbY39SDwo?si=f6BnEJ_e4BM5HAHX&t=6656

• Bill Luffee, Morro Bay, 40-year business owner, urged the City to reconsider its plan to split up the Harbor Department.  
• Terry Simons, Morro Bay, commented on director responsibilities, workload and compensation.  
• Jeff Eckles, Morro Bay, appreciated the report and opportunity to create a culture that attracts qualified employees.  
• Betty Winholtz, Morro Bay, was supportive of the request to approve a Finance Director position and hoped the Harbor Director would choose to remain with the City.
• Barry Branin, Morro Bay, reemphasized importance of Finance Director role.
• Linda Donnelly, Morro Bay, stressed the importance of a qualified City Engineer.  

End of public comment.

No formal action was taken by the City Council on this item.

9.b

Approval of Finance Director Job Description and revised Salary Schedule

https://youtu.be/7EKbY39SDwo?si=zcKKEyu2YufvSltN&t=7971

City Manager Kimball provided the report and responded to Council inquiries.

Mayor Wixom opened public comment on Item 9.b.

• Terry Simons, Morro Bay, commented on Director responsibilities and related compensation.

End of public comment.

• Motion by Council Member Barton
  Seconded by Council Member Landrum

  Adopt Resolution No. 20-24 reinstating the Finance Director Job Classification and Job Description and approve pay schedule, and adopt Resolution No. 21-24 approving a revised FY 23-24 pay schedule including the Finance Director Classification and increasing the salary for the Community Development Director to align with other Morro Bay director positions.

  Ayes (5)

  Mayor Wixom, Council Member Landrum, Council Member Barton, Council Member Edwards, and Council Member Ford

  CARRIED (5 to 0)

10.

COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

https://youtu.be/7EKbY39SDwo?si=L0rTsCxoNznCIzYO&t=9672

Council Member Ford requested the Cal Poly Climate Action Plan presentation to Planning Commission be presented at a Council Meeting.  Given the length of that presentation, City Manager Kimball offered to explore a condensed version. 

Council Member Landrum requested a presentation by Morro Bay students who recently competed at an event at Teach Elementary.  Mayor Wixom wanted more information to understand if the presentation aligns with an advisory board effort.   

11.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.​