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Report and Commentary on Morro Bay City Council Meetings
by Sandra Beebe
December 14th Meeting
I was out of the state for the December 14th City Council meeting but, thanks to Channel 20, was able to view it upon my return. Most of that meeting did not move me to comment, but one piece of business did.
The owners of the new, oversized building at 600 Morro Bay Boulevard requested that their parking-in-lieu fees be changed from the $15,000/space amount agreed on in 2007 to a new fee of only $2000 total. Only council members Winholtz and Smuckler seem to recognize the audacity and pure chutzpah of asking for such a drastic reduction. They both were willing to lower the fee some, but not to the ridiculous amount that was being asked for or to the final amount of $4000 the other three members agreed on. The owners of the building were already given concessions during the building process and now more is given. We know times are hard for all, but the city has rules for reasons. These fees are there for an established objective.
However, what really stuck in my craw was a comment made by Councilman Grantham. He mentioned what an attractive building this and the oversized one across the street are. Again beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Imagine driving down the charming entrance of Morro Bay for the first time and suddenly these two structures are there sticking out like sore thumbs. If the two owners really loved this city, they would have build structures that enhanced the charm and ambience of this special town. It seems their goal is to turn Morro Bay into something that it is not. I know smaller structures would have potentially brought them less rent but also less debt. Then the owner of 600 Morro Bay Boulevard could have paid his agreed on parking-in-lieu fees!!!
Our town needs to prosper economically but killing the golden goose that is the essence of Morro Bay will fail. Cities of all sizes are currently having economic difficulties. A bigger building will do nothing to remedy this situation.
At the first meeting in January Council member Winholtz brought up a matter that has plagued this and past City Councils. At issue was a letter sent out by the mayor about the city’s position on a convention center. Three members – Winholtz, Smuckler and Borchard – all felt that the letter could be interpreted as stating that the entire council was behind it. In actually, that issue has not been discussed since both Smuckler and Borchard became members of the Council. It was agreed that all future communications on official stationary would indicate if it was the writer’s opinion or if it had the backing of the majority of the Council.
January 25th Meeting
The most significant item on the agenda was brought up by Noah Smuckler. As we all know, a water crisis is already facing much of the world. It is important to be proactive in our communities now and not wait till we are in a middle of a disaster. Councilman Smuckler feels it is time for the city to do more to insure that our waste water can be recycled. He asked that a dialogue be started with the staff of the Coastal Commission to make certain that the city is on track to do this in future years.
Unfortunately, Council members Grantham, Peters, and Borchard are not as forward thinking and rambled on about the cost, etc. of doing this. Some city residents supported Councilman Smuckler but a few, like John Barta (a.k.a. "Mr. Condescending"), sought to bury their heads in the sand and to state all is well and we have covered all the bases for future problems with our water supply. I will rest well tonight knowing that he is on the watch.
A reminder about our water usage here in Morro Bay: Although it was announced that our water crisis status is over, Councilman Smuckler stressed that we must look at the long-term problems that California is going to have to deal with. It is predicted that the supply of water will be an issue for some time to come and we should all act responsibility in our daily use of this resource.
The 4th of July Committee asked for a fee waiver for their event. Most of the council felt it would set a bad precedent, but following Ms. Winholtz' suggestion, they will donate money towards this fee out of their contingency funds because all want this event to be a success.
During this discussion the location of the fireworks display was brought up by Councilman Grantham. He wisely suggested they have it again at the high school. Mayor Peters wrongly stated that it was moved from there because the display was a problem for the Peregrine Falcons at the Rock. I contacted a local expert who said that this was never a problem for the falcons. The chairman of this committee, Mr. Eckles, stated that the question is still open and that no decision has been made concerning the location of the 2010 fireworks display.
During public comment, ex-councilman Bill Piece spoke about this celebration. Unfortunately, he called a resident of Morro Bay a fabulist because this person had just spoken about the harm the pyrotechnics do to the birds and the water in the bay. It is my personal opinion that it is unseemly to do this in this forum - even when you laugh about it. The person who spoke is not tied to the business community as is Mr. Pierce and the speaker's information was given to inform the public of the price our environment pays when the fireworks are held over water and near bird habitat. Mr. Pierce also said no birds have ever been harmed by the fireworks, which certainly is a misstating of the truth. Anyone who has seen the screeching of the birds as they flee the first blasts knows this is not a fact.
That’s it again from my couch. I certainly seem to be whining a lot this month about the state of decisions that are being made in our lovely town. It just gives me pause sometimes to see that we are not honoring this remarkable place where we live – the beauty, the critters, and each other.
Since the year 2000, Sandra & Curt Beebe have installed 36 Mutt Mitt dispensers in and around Morro Bay. The Mitts are funded by donations from individuals, organizations, and grants. Make the checks out to "The Bay Foundation" for a tax deduction. Be sure to note "Mutt Mitts" on the front of the check. The Bay Foundation is a 501(c)(3) and is administered by the National Estuary Program. For more information about this "Mutt Mitt" Program, contact Sandra at email SandraBeebe@slocoastjournal.com.
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