CARMEL.BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 5, 2023
CALL TO OROER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Dave Potter called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Alissandra Dramov, Karen Ferlito, Mayor Pro Tem Richards, and Mayor Dave Potter.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Potter led the pledge of allegiance.
EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS
A. Annual Update from Monterey Salinas Transit (MST)
Councilmember Baron introduced Michelle Overmeyer, MST Direclor of Planning and lnnovation who gave a bnef presentation on the MST mission, vision, and values. She also gave an overview of the services, budget, and major projects.
B- Carmel High Report Out
Harper Homan, Carmel High ASB President, gave a summary of recent and upcoming events at the High school. He also spoke about the achievements of the vanous sports teams and fundraising for non-profits.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
The following members of the public spoke:
Polly Osborne
Carmel River School Room 6 first grade students
Jeannette Burko
Daisy Rose
Craig Rose
Ken White
Doug Schmitz
Jo Todd
Nicholas J.
Cindy Lloyd
Catherine
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - December 5, 2023
Nancy Twomey
C. Roy
Chris Cav
ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator - Voiced gratitude to all the speakers who came tonight. Thanked staff for putting on the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Menorah lighting, and said the community really enjoyed it. He welcomed Police chief Paul Tomasi back to the village. He also thanked Acting Police Chief Jeff Walkins for his leadership for the past year and congratulated him on his upcoming retirement.
city Attorney - Brian Pierik announced that there was no reportable action from yesterday's closed session.
councilmember Dramov - Thanked the American Legion Post 512 and City staff for the veterans Day ceremony. She also thanked Public works staff and chip for replacing the flags at Devendorf Park.
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Mayor Potter opened public comment
The following members of the public spoke
Shirley Moon
Richard Kreitman
Dale Byrne
Brian Sours
Mayor Pro Tem Richards, councilmember Ferlito, and Mayor Potter - welcomed back chief Tomasi, and thanked Acting Chief Watkins for all his service.
Item 1- Resolution 2023-107 approving Policy c2023-01 establishing Guidelines for Carmel Beach Cleanup OPerations
Mayor Pro Tem Richards suggested postponing this item to gather more information on the city's options regarding beach debris removal. Councilmember Dramov and Mayor Potter voiced support, with Mayor Potter proposing consultation with the California Coastal Commission on what is allowed. Councilmembers Baron and Ferlito expressed interest in hearing the presentation prepared by city staff and the Forest and Beach commission's input before making a decision.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards made a motion to continue this item to a future meeting date, seconded by Councilmember Dramov'
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - Decembet 5,2023
Council discussion resumed. Councilmember Baron proposed returning the item to the Forest and Beach Commission after Council guidance. City Administrator Rerig recommended a joint public meeting involving Council, the Forest and Beach Commission, and inviting representatives from the California Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, Monterey Bay Sanctuary, and Fish and Game. He suggested including a beach tour before the meeting, accessible to the public.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Richards amended his original motion: to continue the Beach Cleanup Policy to a future meeting date, schedule a joint meeting of the City Council and Forest and Beach Commission with a tour of the beach prior, and invite the Coastal Commission Staff and other relevant regulatory bodies to discuss the beach cleanup policy in depth. Motion seconded by Councilmember Dramov, and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Dramov, Richards, and Mayor Pofter NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Resolution 2o23-1O7 did not pass due to lack of motion
Item 2 - Receive a Presentation regarding the 2023 Storm Drain Master Plan Update Public Works Director Bob Harary gave a presentation regarding the 2023 Storm Drain Master Plan Update covering its history, addressing concerns and unknown impacts, outlining proiects for the 1o-year storm prediction, and discussing drainage improvement priorities, capital lmprovement Projects (ClP), and required investments. He answered questions from Council.
Council received the report, no actton taken
Item 3 - Consider a recommendation from the city's Traffic safety committee to convert a total of three (3) public street parking spaces to "no parking" zones in front of two (2) existing bus stops. The subject bus stops are on Junipero Avenue, northeast of 4th Avenue in front of the gas station (2 spaces), and on san carlos street, northeast of 1oth Avenue in front of the sunset Center (1 space).
Community Planning and Building Director Brandon Swanson gave a brief presentation of the item and answered questions from Council. Michelle Overmeyer, MST Director of Planning and lnnovation requested that the Council consider removing 2 parking spaces in front of Sunset Center bus stop for safety reasons.
Public comment:
None
Council discussion resumed
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - Decembet 5,2023
Motion by Mayor Potter to approve the conversion of a total of four (4) public street parking spaces to "no parking" zones in front of 2 existing bus stops, located on Junipero Avenue, northeast of 4th Avenue in front of the gas station (2 spaces) and on San carlos street, northeast of 1oth Avenue in front of the sunset center (2 spaces). Motion seconded by Councilmember Baron, and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Dramov, Richards, and Mayor Potter NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Council took a recess at 6:24 p.m. and returned to the dais at 6:35 p.m
PUBLIC HEARINGS
counctl gave consensus direction to hear items 7 and 6 before hearing items 4 and 5.
Item 7 - MA 23-103 (Cypress lnn): consideration of a Mills Act contract application MA 23- 103 (Cypress lnn) for the historic "La Ribera Hotel" located on the northeast corner of Lincoln street and 7th Avenue in the Residential-commercial (R-c) District. APN 010-147-008 - Recommended for Continuance to a future meeting
city Attorney Pierik announced that this item has been recommended by staff for continuance to a future meeting date. Mayor Potter invited public comment on the topic of continuance.
Public comment:
Girard Rose, on behalf of the applicant' said he agrees with the continuance' Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Richards to continue the item to a future meeting, seconded by Mayor Potter, 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
Item 6 - MA 23146 (Lopez 5 NW, LLC): Consideration of a Mills Act contract application MA2}146(Lopez5NWLLC)forthehistoric.'CosmasHouse.,locatedonLopezAvenue5 northwest of 4th Avenue in the single-Family Residential (R-1) District APN 010-232-028 - Recommended for Continuance to a future meeting
city Attorney Pierik announced that this item has been recommended by staff for continuance to a tuture meeting date. Mayor Potter invited public comment on the topic of continuance.
Public comment
CC Regular Meeting Minutes - Decembet 5,2023
Pierre Lecomte, applicant, requested that Council not continue this item Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Richards to continue this item to a future meeting, seconded by Mayor Potter, 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
Item 4 - MA 23-117 (Griffin): consideration of a Mills Act contracl application MA 23-117 (Griffin) for the historic "Agnes shorting House" located on 3rd Avenue 2 northwest of Junipero Avenue in the Single-Family Residential (R-1) District APN 010-108-007 Principal Planner Mamie Waffle gave a presentation on the item Public comment.
Chris Barlow, representing the applicant, addressed Council Elizabeth Marsh
Catherine Gualtieri
Kristi Reimers
Principal Planner Marnie Waffle gave a presentation on the item Public comment
Chris Mitchell, representing the applicant, addressed the Council Jason Retterer
Kristi Reimers
Polly Osborne
Chris Barlow
Councilmembers Baron, Dramov, and Ferlito expressed concerns that the proposed tax break under the Mills Act contract appears to exceed the rehabilitation costs, questioning compliance with criteria #5 for a "fair and equitable agreement."
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Richards to approve the Mills Act contract tot MA 23-1'.17 (Griffin), seconded by Mayor Potter, and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Dramov, Ferlito, Richards, and Mayor Pofter NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 5 - MA 23-116 (Esperanza carmel, LLC): Consideration of a Mills Act Contract application MA 23-1 16 (Esperanza carmel LLC) for the historic "Mrs. Clinton walker House" located at 26336 Scenic Road in the single-Family Residential (R-1) District. APN 009-423-00'l CC Regular Meeting Minutes - December 5,2023
Motion by Councilmember Baron to deny the application, citing non-compliance with not finding llli, due to the amount of tax abatement being /ess than the amount the applicant witl spend on historical preseruation, seconded by Councilmember Ferlito.
Council discussion resumed. Councilmember Baron inquired if the City could propose an amended Mills Act Contract with a lower tax break, in order to meet finding #5. City Attorney Pierik said that there is nothing in the City's current policy or code that provides for that option. He added that if Council decides that finding #5 is not met the Council could ask the applicant if they would volunteer to a lower tax break in the agreement, or submit a new application, however, he recommended that the Council adhere to what is in the current policy and code.
Councilmember Baron suggested tabling the item and have staff arrange a discussion with the applicant on adjusting the tax break in the Mills Act contract to align with rehabilitation costs. Chris Mitchell, the applicant's representative expressed openness to a discussion. City Administrator Rerig noted that any amended contract would require council approval rn a future meeting. city Attorney Pierik recommended a motion to continue the item without conditions tied to potential agreement changes.
councilmember Baron made a substitute motion, to continue MA 23-116 (Esperanza carmel, LLC): Consideration of a Mills Act contract to a date uncertain. Motion was seconded by Mayor Potter and approved 4-1-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Dramov, Ferlito, and Mayor Potter NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Richards
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
ADJOURNMENT
APPROVED ATTEST
Dave Potter, Mayor Nova Ro ero M Clerk
Council adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
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