CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
4:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Potter called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Baron Dramov, Ferlito, Richards, and Mayor Potter were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Baron led the pledge of allegiance.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
David O'Neil and Karyl Hall addressed the Council asking to postpone the parking management program because there are too many projects and issues being tackled at once. Linda Calafiore said she is ok with Council taking on multiple projects and priorities. Michael McWalters spoke about concerns over wireless telecommunication radiowaves and their effects on health.
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 1 - Receive a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget and provide direction Assistant City Administrator Gullo gave a presentation to Council on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Recommended Budget revenues and expenditures, and answered questions from Council.
Public Comment:
Linda Calafiore asked to consider and approve the budget appropriation of $15k for invasive plant removal and $75K for fire fuel abatement in the Mission Trail Nature Preserve (MTNP). David O'Neil said he would like to see Council prioritize the most important projects and remove some CIP projects that may not be feasible. He also asked if the City would consider utilizing local volunteer consultants. Amy Herzog gave a presentation on Visit Carmel, Destination Marketing Organization and strategy and said that their funding request is an investment into the City. Jo Picter spoke in support of the budget for MTNP. Lance Willits spoke on behalf of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce request for $120,000 support from the City due to increased costs and increased efforts to drive growth. Melanie Billick spoke about the PACT parking program, and that there is no numbers to show how much the parking program will cost to implement, and perhaps the Council should defer this project and focus other issues such as housing. Fenn Horton spoke about Acacia Way, a private street, becoming part of the City's drainage system, and it becomes a problem every time it rains and would like to see Council budget to fix the problems.
Karyl Hall suggested Council consider bringing back parklets as a revenue source. Dale Byrne addressed the Council.
Council discussion resumed. No action was taken on the additional requests for funding from the local groups. Council requested that the groups requesting additional funding provide a detailed request for consideration by Council including financial documents within the next week.
Councilmember Ferlito agrees with the proposed budget as an investment into the City.
Councilmember Dramov spoke about being fiscally cautious in light of the economic downturn.
Councilmember Baron said he would like Council to consider increasing the City's current 10% TOT which is relatively low for a City like Carmel before the next budget. He also asked for the Sunset Center Corporation to give an update on their fundraising for an endowment which is included in their agreement with the City.
Item 2 - Resolution 2023-057 receiving the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022
City Administrator Rerig introduced Sheldon Chavez, who prepared the City's Annual Audit Report. Mr. Chavez gave a summary of the ACR to Council and answered questions.
Public Comment: None
Council discussion resumed.
Motion by Councilmember Ferlito to adopt Resolution 2023-057, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Richards, and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Dramov, Ferlito, Richards, and Mayor Potter NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned at 5:26 pm.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Nova Romero, MMC, Cly Clerk