The City's financial problems are reflected in major issues related to the health and safety of residents.

Public meetings

The City of Morro Bay publishes agendas and minutes for all of its public meetings.  Regularly scheduled meetings include:

• City Council
• City Promotions Committee
• Harbor Advisory Board
• Planning Commission
• Public Works Advisory Board
• Recreation and Parks Commission

There are links to all of these on the home page of the City Web site.

Agendas are published in advance of each meeting.  They can be viewed on the bulletin board outside City hall, and on the City's Web site.  In the past there have been occasional delays in posting them on the Web site.  

The Brown Act requires advance publication of agendas to ensure adequate opportunity for public participation and comment.

Minutes are summaries, not word-for-word transcripts, and we have found that they often omit commentary that some people believe should have been included.  To see and hear all that transpired at any meeting, it is necessary to watch the video.  (CD's available)

For more information on public meetings, see Effective Participation in City Government:  Public Meetings

DVD's of the meetings are available for purchase at AGP Video   It is necessary to contact them and make an advance request, as they do not stock extra copies.  DVD's are also available at the Library and can be checked out for home viewing.  No on-site equipment is provided.  The meeting videos are also run numerous times on the local government channel after each meeting.  

The library

The Morro Bay Library, has many City documents available, including the City budget, the General Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance.  

The Internet

The Morro Bay City Web site provides  extensive information on City departments and activities.  Numerous documents, such as the minutes from public meetings, the General Plan/Local Coastal Plan, the Zoning Ordinance, building permit application forms, and reports issued by City staff and by hired consultants are provided on the site.

The Community page on Mike Baird's Morro Bay information site provides a wealth of useful information on a wide variety of topics.

In addition, general Internet searches can provide a wealth of information on the City.  For example, a Google search using the two terms "Morro Bay" and "power plant" yielded 10 pages of hits.

City officials and staff

Elected and appointed City officials are there to serve the needs of the community.  Most are receptive to email and phone inquiries, but due to the demands of their work (many have full time jobs in addition to their City obligations), messages should be brief and to the point.  The public comment period at City meetings is another way to direct comments and requests to City officials.  They do not respond directly to public comments, but may address them at a later time.

City staff may also be contacted by phone or email, or in person, at the Public Services office and at City Hall.  The Morro Bay City Web site provides a directory to help residents find the right person(s) to address questions and requests.
  

Other citizens

Morro Bay has a large number of active and involved and citizens with considerable knowledge of local issues.  Both individuals and groups are working to improve the City and quality of life, health, and safety for residents.  Many individuals appear regularly and speak during public comment at various meetings.  Most are happy to answer questions from others regarding the issues they discuss.

A few of the citizen groups active in Morro Bay include :

Friends of the Library
Friends of the Morro Bay Fire Department
Friends of the Morro Bay Police Department
Morro Bay Neighborhood Watch Association
Morro Bay Beautiful
Vision Morro Bay


   

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