AVALON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER-5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL- Present via Teleconference and In-Person: Mayor Anni Marshall, Councilmembers Lisa Lavelle, Michael Ponce, Mary Schickling and Yesenia De La Rosa.
Also present: City Manager David Maistros, City Attorney Scott Campbell and City Clerk Gabrielle Morones.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS-City staff received eight written communications regarding Item #5. Repeal and Replace Article 3 of Chapter 1 of Title 3 of the Avalon Municipal Code Modifying the Transient Rental Licensing System, one written correspondence on Item #6. Short-Term Rental Legislative Measures, and one written correspondence on Item #7. Cruise Ship Port Agreements. Copies were distributed to City Council and have been filed in the City Clerk's office.
CONSENT CALENDAR-There were three items on the Consent Calendar. Motion to approve Items #1-Item #3 made by Michael Ponce, seconded by Yesenia De La Rosa. (All Ayes)
1. City Council Minutes
Approved minutes from July 1, 2025 regular City Council Meeting.
Warrants
Approved US Bank General Account Warrants totaling $ 431,797.96, US Bank Successor Agency Account totaling $ 3,850.00, one payroll totaling $ 285,848.26, one transfer to Northern Trust Landfill Trust Account for $ 316,000.00, two electronic fund transfers totaling $ 6,523.36 for a total expenditure of $1,044,019.58 for June 23, 2025 through July 4, 2025.
Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Grant from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating Waterways Boating Infrastructure Grant Program
Adopted Resolution No. 25-24 of the City Council of the City of Avalon Accepting a Grant in the Amount of $300,000 from the Division of Boating and Waterways for the Development of a Boating Infrastructure Grant Facility at Avalon Harbor.
PUBLIC HEARING
4. Public Hearing to Receive Comment on the City's FY 25-26 Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program
1. Mayor Marshall opened the duly noticed Public Hearing, no comments were received. 2. Mayor Marshall closed the Public Hearing. 3. Approved the City's estimated FY 25-26 Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program award of $13,969. 4. Adopted Resolution No. 25-25 of the City Council of the City of Avalon, California, Authorizing the Allocation of the Fiscal Year 25-26 Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program (PLHA) Award Year 5 Allocation.
Motion to approved made by Lisa Lavelle, seconded by Michael Ponce. (All Ayes)
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JULY 15, 2025
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GENERAL BUSINESS
Repeal and Replace Article 3 of Chapter 1 of Title 3 of the Avalon Municipal Code Modifying the Transient Rental Licensing System
City staff was directed to incorporate the following revisions into the proposed ordinance and return with a revised draft for consideration at the next City Council meeting:
Section 3-1.305
Revise to read: Upon the third citation for a violation of any provision of this Article the Planning Department shall recommend to the Planning Commission that the Transient Rental License be considered for revocation.
Amend Section 3-1.312.
Revise to read:
At the hearing, the licensee shall appear personally or virtually, to be heard, to defend the charges and to call witnesses.
- Staff was directed to research the feasibility of a permanent ban on homeowners who operate illegal rentals.
- City staff was directed to examine the maximum penalties that may be imposed.
- The Planning Commission be provided a neighborhood saturation overlay map showing the locations of all active transient rentals when a new transient license is being considered
- Consider revising the current fee structure by increasing penalties for violations of transient rental regulations, or alternatively, establish a separate fee structure specifically tailored to transient rentals.
BREAK 7:14 p.m.-7:22 p.m.
6. Short-Term Rental Legislative Measures
At the direction of the City Council, staff is requested to evaluate and report back on the following matters related to the City's transient rental program:
- Analyze the current transient rental fee structure and provide recommendations for potential increases. The review should consider administrative costs and enforcement needs.
- Explore policy options to limit the issuance of new transient rental licenses based on whether an applicant already holds one or more existing transient rental licenses.
- Implement a citywide cap of 410 transient rental licenses and provide a comprehensive saturation map that will show the current distribution of licenses by neighborhood.
- Prepare a draft waitlist policy for use once the license cap is reached.
Cruise Ship Port Agreements
1. City Council discussed the potential terms set forth by Magical Cruise Company Ltd, dba Disney Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., dba Royal Caribbean Group. City Council expressed that the size of the ships
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JULY 15, 2025
PAGE 3
and the cruise lines who work with small businesses and offer passengers optional shore excursions when they dock should be a factor when negotiating port agreements.
2. Authorized the City Manager to negotiate and execute Port Agreements incorporating the terms set forth.
Motion to approve made by Lisa Lavelle, seconded by Yesenia De La Rosa. (All Ayes)
Options for City Council in Considering Tenant Protection and Rent Control Measures
The City Council will schedule a future study session to conduct a detailed review of the Tenant Protection and Rent Control measures.
Mayor Marshall adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
1, Gabrielle Morones, City Clerk, do hereby certify that the DVD videotape of the regular City Council Meeting on July 15, 2025, is the official record of the Council Meeting and is on file and maintained in City Hall.
alielle Manes
Gabrielle Morones, City Clerk