MORRO BAY 

City to implement short-term rental ordinance

On Friday, Nov. 1, the City of Morro Bay will begin sending enforcement letters to owners and operators of non-compliant and partially compliant short-term rentals in the city limits.

In 2020, the City of Morro Bay adopted a Short Term Rental Ordinance that allows property owners to operate STRs inthe city limits, provided they comply with permit requirements and standards to minimize neighborhood impacts. The STR Ordinance requires property owners to obtain an STR permit, business license, and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) account prior to operating an STR. These permits are subject to annual renewal and inspections every four years. The ordinance also establishes a maximum number (“cap”) of 175 full-home rentals allowed in residentially zoned areas. Such rentals are also subject to a “buffer” that requires them to be separated by at least 175 feet.

In recent years, the city has made increased efforts to identify all STRs actively advertising and renting on online platforms (AirBnB, VRBO, etc.). The city will be comparing the results of this search to our permit records and take enforcement action to achieve compliance. Illegally operating STRs will be required to immediately cease operation, are liable for the last three years of unpaid TOT, and may face fines of up to $500 per day of non-compliance. At the same time, the city will identify active STRs that are partially compliant, meaning they are operating with expired business licenses or TOT accounts. The city may authorize a partially compliant STR to continue operation once they renew their permits and pay applicable back taxes.

In a parallel effort, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the city will require all STR permit holders to renew their permits, as required by the STR Ordinance. This will involve completion of a renewal application and city inspection to verify compliance with applicable standards, including, but not limited to, parking and signage requirements. 

The city recognizes and appreciates our STR operators who take great care to comply with the city’s STR regulations. We look forward to working with all STR operators to ensure uniform compliance and create a level playing field, while maintaining a high quality of life for full-time residents. 

Morro Bay Police launch ‘Leash Up, It’s the Law’ campaign to enforce dog leash rules across city

Oct. 8 marks the beginning of the Morro Bay Police Department’s “Leash Up, It’s the Law” enforcement campaign. This campaign will take place over the next 30 days, increasing patrolling of all areas within the city including parks, sidewalks, and other public spaces, looking for owners who do not have their dog on a leash as required by Morro Bay Municipal Code 7.08.020.

Enforcement campaigns are used to remind the public to stay safe and protect the community by following the laws put into place for public safety. Well-known enforcement safety campaigns are “Click it or Ticket,” “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” and “California Highway Patrol Holiday Maximum Enforcement Period.”

These campaigns help law enforcement bring awareness to safety issues and provides notification to the public that law enforcement officers are increasing awareness and enforcement to promote adherence to existing laws.

The Morro Bay “Leash Up, It’s the Law” campaign seeks to remind and encourage the community of Morro Bay to leashup your dog or face the possibility of receiving a city administrative citation. A similar campaign was conducted in early 2023, the campaign brought excellent awareness and some citations to violators.

Leashing your dog is the law, it is also a simple act that has many positive outcomes:

  • Keeps your dog safe from traffic and wildlife.
  • Prevents bites and fights.
  • It’s courteous to your neighbors and people who do not know your dog’s level of obedience.
  • When used properly. Most canines do not mind leashes or collars.
  • Leashing your dog protect the animals and people.

Leash laws are enforced throughout the year in Morro Bay. This campaign is set to bring special awareness and provides additional resources to this issue over a specified period.

Morro Bay receives GFOA recognition for its financial reporting

The City of Morro Bay has been granted a significant award for its transparency in financial reporting. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) is the agency that provides best practices, professional development, and research for government finance institutions. 

The GFOA awarded the City of Morro Bay a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. The report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Receipt of this award, which the City of Morro Bay has successfully received for the last six consecutive years, underscores the city’s commitment to best practices, transparency, and robust communications in the administration of the public’s finances.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY 

Jury convicts Atascadero man for sex crimes against multiple victims

On Friday, Oct. 18, a San Luis Obispo County Jury returned guilty verdicts against Nathan Daniel Abate, 36, for sexual assault crimes against two victims. The crimes occurred between 2009 and 2012. The verdicts were returned Friday afternoon after a 13-day trial. 

Abate was convicted by the jury of three counts of sexual assault on two separate victims, which occurred between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 21, 2012. During the trial, the jury received evidence describing many acts of sexual assault against several young female victims over the course of several years. Prosecutors presented evidence demonstrating a consistent pattern of conduct by Abate, where he provided alcohol to youthful women, after which he sexually assaulted them.

Abate was convicted of the following crimes: Forcible Rape (Count 2), Rape of an Intoxicated Victim (Count 3), and Oral Copulation of a Person Under the Age of 18 (Count 4). The jury was deadlocked on Count 1, an allegation of Forcible Rape of a third victim, with nine of the 12 voting for guilt.  

The jury also found true five factors in aggravation including: the victims were particularly vulnerable, Abate induced a minor to participate in the crime, the crimes were carried out with planning and sophistication, Abate violated a position of trust when committing his crimes, and Abate engaged in violent conduct that posed a serious danger to society. 

If you have been the victim of sexual assault, please know that there are individuals and organizations that are willing and able to support you. You are encouraged to contact the local law enforcement agency where the crime occurred and/or a crime victim organization such as Lumina Alliance in San Luis Obispo. The San Luis Obispo County Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center can also assist you. Contact the center at (805) 781-5821.

The Honorable Judge Michael S. Frye presided over the jury trial. After the verdicts were read, the defendant was remanded to custody in the San Luis Obispo County Jail pending his sentencing hearing that is scheduled for Nov. 12 in Department 6 of the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. This case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, San Luis Obispo Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kimberly Dittrich, who is assigned to the Sexual Assault & Child Abuse Unit.

Allan Hancock College receives provisional approval to offer bachelor’s degree

Allan Hancock College reached a historic milestone with the provisional approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for its Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Applied Professional Studies. Provisional approval means the program has cleared key initial requirements and is one step closer to being finalized.

This milestone represents a significant achievement in the college’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable and accessible higher education to Central Coast students. Hancock could begin offering the four-year degree to students as early as the fall of 2026 if final approval is granted. 

In addition to offering local access, the program provides a highly affordable pathway to a bachelor’s degree. Students at AHC will pay just $46 per unit for the first two years and $130 per unit for the final two years, bringing the total cost of the four-year degree to $10,560. For Hancock Promise-eligible students, the first two years’ unit fees will be waived, reducing the total cost to just $7,800. This affordability helps students achieve their academic and career goals while keeping student debt to a minimum.

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Professional Studies is an applied career technical education degree program that prepares students for professional roles in industries as diverse as agriculture, manufacturing, professional services, space/launch enterprises, and health care.

Graduates who earn the degree will be well-prepared to step into entry-level professional positions, which will help support and grow local businesses by offering a highly skilled workforce that is more likely to remain in the community.

Access to a four-year degree within the college’s service area would also expand opportunities and educational equity for Hancock students, according to Hancock Board of Trustees Vice President Hilda Zacarías.

Hancock applied for approval of the bachelor’s degree program in January 2024. The proposal garnered vocal support from Central Coast businesses, community organizations, and elected officials. Organizations standing with the college include the Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County boards of supervisors, as well as the cities of Santa Maria, Buellton, Solvang, and Pismo Beach. The Santa Maria Bonita School District, Santa Maria Joint-Union High School District, the Santa Barbara County Office of Education, and 37th District State Assemblyman Gregg Hart also voiced their formal support of bringing bachelor’s degrees to Hancock.

Now that the degree program has been provisionally approved, the application will enter the intersegmental consultation phase, where further collaboration and feedback will be offered from key stakeholders, including UC and CSU universities, before the final approval can be granted by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.Stakeholders from the UC and CSU systems can still object to the degree proposal, but the college hopes to get final approval for the program by March 2025. 

To learn more about Hancock’s bachelor’s degree program proposal, visit hancockcollege.edu/unitedcc. 

Visit SLO CAL returns as the host sponsor for the 2024 Spartan Race at iconic Santa Margarita Ranch

Visit SLO CAL (VSC), the official destination marketing and management organization (DMMO) for San Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL) is pleased to return as the host sponsor of the 2024 Spartan Race, taking place Nov. 2 through 3 at Santa Margarita Ranch. This year, VSC is collaborating with Visit SLO and Visit Atascadero to elevate the event experience and showcase the SLO CAL region’s diverse mix of outdoor adventure, vibrant local culture, and unique SLO CAL experiences. 

Locals and visitors worldwide are encouraged to immerse themselves in the Spartan Trifecta Weekend. VSC will offer an engaging on-site activation, featuring a social media selfie wall, swag giveaways, and a chance to win a $200 wellness basket filled with locally crafted SLO CAL crafted products from artists, crafters, and farmers.

The Spartan race will be held at SLO CAL’s iconic Santa Margarita Ranch. Santa Margarita Ranch was established in 1841 and originally covered 17,000 acres. At present, it is among California’s oldest continuously operating cattle ranches. Since 1999, the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch has been owned by three local winegrowing and ranching families — the Filipponis, Rossis, and Wittstroms — who have maintained its tradition of hospitality while preserving its role as a working cattle ranch and a world-class vineyard. Nestled between rugged mountains and rolling hills, Santa Margarita Ranch offers a private airstrip, a picturesque vineyard, an antique train, five zip lines, equestrian facilities, and more.

VSC welcomes both participants and spectators alike to enjoy the region’s breathtaking landscapes, ideal weather, and unique cultural offerings. Hosting the Spartan Race in SLO CAL presents a perfect opportunity for visitors to discover the region’s outdoor adventures and rich heritage.

The Spartan Trifecta Weekend will feature multiple obstacle course races, trail races, kids races, and even the Trifecta Pass for those wanting to conquer all three distances. Tickets are available at Race.Spartan.com.

For more information about the event, visit slocal.com/events. For more information about Visit SLO CAL, visit slocal.com.

Carquest Auto Parts to pay $750,000 in civil penalties and costs in civil lawsuit settlement

A multi-county civil enforcement lawsuit led by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit has settled with a Stipulated Judgment. The civil lawsuit alleged that parent companies running corporate-owned Carquest Auto Parts stores in California charged customers higher prices at checkout than the listed shelf price. 

Carquest operates approximately 330 stores in North America, with approximately 50 corporate-owned stores in California. The civil complaint was filed in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on Sept. 27, 2023, by the prosecution team, which included District Attorneys’ Offices in San Luis Obispo, San Diego, and Santa Barbara counties. The allegations in the lawsuit and settlement do not involve franchisee-owned stores.

The civil complaint alleged that Carquest unlawfully charged customers prices higher than its posted shelf price. The problem is often called a “scanner violation,” which occurs when the price charged at checkout is higher than the posted shelf price. The filed civil complaint detailed evidence collected by several counties’ Weights and Measures departments over a seven-year period: 

  • Between 2017 and 2023, Carquest overcharged an average of 12 percent of the items tested. 
  • In 2022, the number of items overcharged increased to 14 percent.
  • In the summer of 2023, the Weights and Measures inspectors from 20 counties inspected 43 stores, finding that 39 of the 43 stores failed the price accuracy inspection. It found that almost a quarter of the items inspected were overcharged.

Carquest had previously settled a similar lawsuit in 2012 that was filed in San Diego County Superior Court. At that time, Carquest paid $242,715.40 and agreed to initiate additional audits of its products to ensure price accuracy. 

The current Judgment requires Carquest to pay $657,000 in civil penalties and an additional $93,000 to cover the costs of investigation and to support future enforcement of consumer protection laws. The parent companies of Carquest also agreed to follow price-accuracy laws. The case was prosecuted in San Luis Obispo County by Deputy District Attorney Ken Jorgensen, assigned to our Special Prosecutions Division, which includes Public Integrity, Consumer Protection, Environment Protection, and White-Collar Fraud units. 

Click here for a copy of the civil complaint and the stipulated final judgment. 

Consumers may report price accuracy issues to the San Luis Obispo County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures by using the Weights and Measures Online Complaint Form, here, slocounty.ca.gov/departments/agriculture-weights-and-measures/all-forms-documents/forms/weights-and-measures-online-complaint-form.

To report a consumer complaint directly to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, you may submit a complaint form, found here: slocounty.ca.gov/getmedia/400bf83b-af0b-4694-9969-03768caf580f/consumer-complaint-form-english.

Man charged with murder, attempted murder, and arson

SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow announced the filing of criminal charges filed against Alan Fonseca Osio for murder of his father and attempted murder of his mother. Additionally, the defendant is charged with arson and assault on a police animal. It is also alleged that he was convicted in 2019 of a serious or violent “strike” offense.

The Office of the District Attorney filed criminal charges today against Osio, 29, for the crimes of murder, attempted murder, arson, and assaulting a police animal on Oct. 14 at his parent’s residence in Arroyo Grande. 

The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned in Department 3 of the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 8:30 a.m.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that must be proven in a court of law by proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by plea or conviction by jury or judge.

Please contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at (805) 781-5819 with any questions.

Prescribed burn operations planned at several state parks in San Luis Obispo County

California State Parks, with assistance from CAL FIRE and other partner agencies, will carry out a series of prescribed burns in several park units in San Luis Obispo County starting late October 2024. The burns may occur in Hearst San Simeon, Harmony Headlands, Estero Bluffs, Morro Bay, and Montaña de Oro state parks and may continue through June 2025. All burning is dependent on available fire resources, weather, and air quality conditions. If weather or vegetation conditions are not conducive for burning and smoke dispersal, the planned burns will be rescheduled.

Here’s what the public can expect and should keep in mind during the prescribed burns:

  • Some park roads, facilities, and trails near the burn area may be closed. For the most updated information on park closures, please visit the individual park unit’s webpage.
  • Although prescribed burns produce significantly less smoke than a wildfire, people traveling near the fire burn areas may see smoke from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the day of the burns.
  • In the unlikely event you smell smoke, San Luis Obispo County urges you to take precautions and use common sense to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting outdoor activities. These precautions are especially important for children, the elderly, and people with respiratory and heart conditions.
  • The public is advised to use extreme caution while driving near prescribed fire operations due to fire personnel and equipment in the area.

These burns are part of State Park’s prescribed fire program for vegetation management, hazardous fuel load reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, and other ecological benefits. This work will include grassland and coastal scrub burns, as well as broadcast and pile burns in forested and urban/wildland interfaces to address diseased, dead, and downed trees.

These treatments will enhance the health of the ecosystems by removing diseased materials, restoring essential nutrients to the soil, and reducing the chance of a catastrophic wildfire.

State Parks plans and coordinates the prescribed burns with the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District to minimize the smoke impacts on surrounding communities.