Commentary on the April Morro Bay City Council Meetings

by Sandra Beebe

April 11th Meeting

During announcements, Mayor Peters mentioned that SLOCOG was able to come up with the $24,000 that was needed to fund Dial-A-Ride for the rest of this fiscal year. This is good news for those who rely on this service. The problems still exist for next year, however. She has met with representatives from various organizations, including RTA, and solutions are being sought. One possibility is to share the service with Los Osos, which would mean fewer days, but those in need could plan their rides accordingly.

Councilwoman Winholtz reported about her attendance at the Water Resource Advisory Committee meeting. There she learned that the reservoirs are now 2/3 full - the same as last year. Since they had to make up for the lack of rain for the past three years, they have not been able to fill up all the way yet. Water conservation is still a must for all of us.

Public Comment

Many items were covered during this meeting. Apparently they were not the type to stir up the residents' emotions, for few attended. In fact, most of the people who spoke during the Public Comment period were candidates for the up-coming election.

Yes, I know. It's election time again. I already feel weary, knowing that because we now have to endure a primary, our residents will have to encounter signs all over town for SIX months rather than the three months for just the general election. That is too long for such a small number of candidates in a small town. I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but do we really need the clutter of political signs for such an extended time? Do candidates need to spend that much time and money for an extra election? Is it really in the town's best interest to have potential candidates no longer run because they don't have the money for both primary and general election campaigns? Does the city need to spend the extra money during these financially difficult times? If you answered all these questions as I did, with a resounding "no," then I consider you a judicious human being.

The first political comment of the evening was a strong endorsement for Rick Grantham for Mayor by a resident named Ed Crovets. He mentioned an upcoming fundraiser. Most of us who watch the Council meetings pretty well know Rick's views on issues, so it will be easy to decide whether to vote for him or another candidate.

Nancy Johnson, candidate for City Council, announced her plan to have a number of smaller "meet and greets" in private homes. She asked for anyone who wanted to host one to call her. She was her usual pleasant self and invited those with questions to phone her.

The next to speak was D'Onna Kennedy, who is seeking a seat on the City Council. She used most of her allotted three minutes to voice her opposition to the medical marijuana dispensary. She stated she had read a 55-page report about the 14 states who have had such dispensaries and how they had negatively affected them. She gave no specifics. I do hope she does not run a fear tactics campaign. America has seen too much of this in the last decade. She will be having an upcoming town hall meeting. Perhaps there she will address other, more important issues.

Both Johnson and candidate Kennedy stated that they are running for office because they care about Morro Bay. Most of us who chose to live in this special place can also say we care about this exceptional town.

Neil Ferrell, who is running for Mayor, felt that tourism is the way to save our town and that we should be spending more money on radio and other media to bring people here. He was also promoting a maritime museum, a good thing, to attract people to Morro Bay. However, I was rather surprised to hear him call our town "boring" for families. I must disagree with him. With miles and miles of trails to hike and bike, horseback riding, kayaking, the Museum of Natural History, and many delightful restaurants in which to dine, I have never been bored here, nor have our visitors . . . even those with children.

Bill Yates, the former Mayor who lost the election four years ago to Janice Peters, spoke next. He stated that he did not think this was the right forum for candidates to use because it wasted the time of the City Council. I must concur with him. However, he went on to state that since other candidates were doing so, he would also.

He commented that there were more important issues facing the City than the medical marijuana dispenery and these issues needed to be addressed. Again I agree with him but, unfortunately, these hot button issues are often used as a tactic to divert voters away from more consequential matters. They stir up voters who find topics, such as water shortage, not important enough to vote on.

Yates announced that he was having a reception where people can dine and that money will not be raised. Then he mentioned that he and George Leage, who is running for City Council, would be supporting each other. He continued that a luau will be given by George's son, Tony, for him and George and that all will be invited. He, again, emphasized that fund raising is not an issue with him.

I'm concerned that certain candidates have deep pockets and so the extra expenditure of monies for the primary is not an issue for them. What about the average Joe who would aspire to be of service to their town, but the cost of campaigning twice would be prohibitive? I want quality on the City Council and a level playing field for all candidates.

Peter Candela, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, stated there will be an upcoming forum sponsored by them for all the candidates. It will be televised on Channel 20. I am particularly interested in hearing the views of less well-known candidates, such as Jack Smith. I don't know him, but I like that in his public statement he favors promoting eco-tourism.

After the public comments, Betty Winholtz announced she will be seeking the office of Mayor but did not mention any upcoming gathering in her behalf. I will be supporting her, for I see no other candidate who works as hard as she does for our city. I don't agree with every position she takes, but I always know that she has done her homework. The Council frequently votes 3-2 (Betty and Noah usually the two) on important issues. To lose her voice there would be, in my opinion, a major problem for our city. She has demonstrated time and time again that she will look at issues completely and not vote what is popular, but what she feels will benefit this city in both the short and long term.

City Council Business

The Council did a lot of hard work at this meeting and they did it very efficiently. The topics were not as seductive as the previously mentioned medical marijuana dispensary issue, but probably more important.

One that really caught my interest was a status report on the A-frame sign problem. Until this meeting I had no idea how engrossing I would find this subject. The staff was asking for direction to update the sign regulations, which have been ignored for some time. Even though permits are required to exhibit an A-frame sign, not one of the 73 businesses using them has bothered to pay for a permit since 2004.

Several members of the Council mentioned how cluttered they make our town look. I certainly agree with their observations. They are important to direct traffic to certain businesses whose names cannot be seen due to tree canopies or being located off the main thoroughfare. However, the Council agreed with staff that certain regulations are needed, both for safety and appearance.

I learned that decorative flags, except the American flag, are prohibited from flying in front of businesses under current regulations. Those tacky A-frames that you see in the back of trucks parked around the city are also not allowed.

Staff felt they had enough direction to update these regulations and bring them to the Planning Commission before returning to City Council. A special thanks was given to the police volunteers. They did all the leg work to determine just how much of an impact these signs are having on our town.

I also found the next topic on the agenda absorbing. Again staff was seeking feedback from the Council about the current regulations for public area permits. Mr. Woods updated the Council about some of the requirements for residents who want to reserve a spot in one of the public parks. First, there are several groups who must get a permit. Among those are groups larger than 75, activities that include alcohol, and anyone who wants to guarantee their spot in the parks. However, even when someone has a reservation, the public may use the remainder of the park.

Mr. Woods now has a committee that meets monthly to go over any applicants who want to make a reservation. Applicants must agree to recycle at least 50% of the waste they produce and may not use styrofoam or single use water bottles.

Several members of the Council brought up the lack of recycling containers in many of our parks. Mr.Woods stated this is being addressed but presently it would strain his limited staff to add emptying these additional containers to their present duties. Councilman Smuckler again came up with a practical suggestion. He wondered if the larger dumpsters could be the kind that were split into recyclable and non-recyclable sections.

I was impressed that Mr. Woods is addressing the concerns of the Council and that a more effective process is becoming a reality.

Following that item on the agenda was a review of the current procedures for amplified sound during events in the city's parks. Mr. Woods stated that sound problems are addressed when complaints come in. Their goal is to have neighbors notified whenever sound from an event may be intrusive.

Most of us love the quiet of our town, so it is encouraging to learn that the city has a policy regarding this problem. There is an annual event downtown that used to amplify their music so loudly that it intruded into our home through closed doors and windows. That has not happened the last two years. Thank you to whoever made that change.

April 25 Meeting

Before the meeting began the Council installed Morro Bay's new police chief and recognized those involved in Arbor Day and Bike Month--an auspicious beginning to the evening.

Dial-A-Ride

The first item on the agenda was the dilemma that Dial-A-Ride finds itself in. At one of last month's meetings, Council instructed the Public Services department to find a solution for continuing this program on limited funds. Janeen Burlingame made what may have been the best presentation I have ever witnessed by a staff member at a Council meeting. Not only was the report presented in an effective manner, there were real solutions contained in it. Bravo Ms. Burlingame

The new system, a Flex Fixed Route service, will replace the old format. If interested in learning more, you can read the report at the City website. In addition, a pilot program using volunteers to offer door-to-door service will be studied.

Nancy Mason, one of our senior citizens, spoke beautifully about what this service means to her and others. I think everyone watching was moved by her sincerity and quiet eloquence.

MV Transportation, the company currently offering this service, was given a six-month extension on their contract. Competitive bids will then be taken.

Staff Layoffs

Andrea Lueker, City Manager, presented the recommended staffing levels for the upcoming fiscal year. Because the city will have a half million-dollar deficit, staff layoffs will have to be initiated. Final decisions will be made closer to the beginning of the 2010-11 fiscal year, but proposed staff cuts were divulged.

For the residents of Morro Bay, this means a reduction in the services received. For those employees who will be terminated, the impact will obviously be much more personal to them and to their families. Since this was a preliminary presentation, no final decisions have been made at this point regarding which staff positions will be eliminated. Needless to say, the morale of the City's staff is diminished because of this unavoidable fiscal occurrence.

Promotions Committee

Much of the town's current revenue is generated by tourism. The Promotions Committee's purpose is to provide both input and recommendations to the City Council on ways to promote Morro Bay tourism. Several members of this committee, including Chamber of Commerce CEO Peter Candela, took part in this presentation.

My main observation is that it seemed eco-tourism was not being promoted as much as I would have thought it should be. Their suggestions for upcoming events seem to revisit old ideas and not embrace those that would sell what is most unique about this wonder that is Morro Bay--the environment. Perhaps most visitors come here for the shops and dining. However, there are many who would be drawn more by events that emphasized the glory of the natural environment .

Curmudgeon Gripe of the Month

During Public Comment, businessman Ken Vesterfelt complained that he felt singled out when recently being asked to follow a town regulation and remove the large "For Sale" signs made to resemble the American flag. He has them on the sidewalk in front of condos that are for sale. Bill Yates, who is again running for mayor, spoke following Vesterfelt, saying he felt the staff was wrong to enforce city regulations against Ken and another business in town. He continued, saying it was a financial hardship. I seriously doubt that this is the cause of any major financial problems for anyone. The country was financially damaged by factors that we are all aware of and not by a city staff member doing their job of enforcement.

This complaint rang a bell in my psyche. So many people feel that are entitled to break any law or ignore any regulation they find inconvenient for themselves. I have never understood this point of view, having always been a rule follower - beginning with the 10 commandments I learned in Sunday School as a child.

When rules and regulations are not followed, chaos results. Civil disobience against an unjust war is one thing. Complaining that you can't do as you please whenever you like because it is vexing is quite another.

We, unfortunately, lost our code enforcement officer due to budget deficits. Since then, we have all watched out city become increasingly tackier. Signs everywhere, boats deposited in our streets, RVs parked in front of homes, etc., etc. Folks, look out at the ocean and the beauty that we behold every day. Should we not try to have our town reclaim some of what we have lost in the last few years. Visitors notice these things.

I admire the staff for enforcing the code. It is there for a purpose. I don't want to dodge oversized signs and flags as I maneuver my old, decrepit body down the sidewalk. I'm applauding whichever staff member accomplished this one victory for those of us who follow rules and regulations and like our streets uncluttered.

Sir or Madam, thank you for doing your duty as a public servant I know you have little time for code enforcement these days, but if you could slip in a few more I would be very grateful. (I also wouldn't mind if the dog leash law was enforced.)

It's lovely here in my neighborhood. From my couch I can see out the picture window to enjoy these breathtakingly sunny days we have been having. It certainly reaffirms why we all treasure this city and what it does for each of us.

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.