CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Richards led the pledge of allegiance
EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS
Carmel High School Report Out - no reports from Carmel High School
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Nancy Twomey
Louis Leder
Tasha Witt
Amy Hezog
Melanie Billig
Kevin Ruse
Hans Buder
Jo Todd
Taylor-Anne Vaughan
Dave
Jude E.
Phone caller (no name)
Mayor Potter called a recess at 4:55 p.m. and the Council left the dais. The Council convened and resumed the meeting at 5:06 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Dave Potter called the meeting to order at 4.32 p.m.
Roll call. councilmembers Jeff Baron, Alissandra Dramov, Karen Ferlito, Mayor pro Tempore Bobby Richards, and Mayor Dave Potter.
Pride Month Proclamation - Councilmember Baron read the proclamation declaring June as Pride Month in the City of Carmel-bythe-Sea.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 4, 2024
ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Rerig - Thanked the City weekend staff for their hard work during the busy summer season and the public for participating in the Carmel Prepares and Urban Forest Master Plan Workshops.
City Attorney Pierik - no reportable action from yesterday's Closed Session Councilmember Announcements -
councilmember Baron thanked attendees of the Urban Forest Master plan workshop and praised chief romasi and Fire chief Miller for the successful wildfire preparedness workshop. He also said that as the city's TAMC representative he is available for questions or feedback regarding public transportation.
councilmember Dramov bid a fond farewell to longtime carmel resident Janie Marshman, who is moving to southern california. she spoke about Janie placing American flags around downtown in honor of veterans for Memorial Day.
councilmember Ferlito reminded everyone not to dispose of batteries in the trash due to fire hazards and to place them in a plastic bag on top of the trash bins on collection day instead.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards reported attending a Memorial Day celebration in Devendorf Park, a surf competition, third grade mock council meetings, and noted the success of the culinary week kickoff.
Mayor Potter reported that he missed the lvlemorial Day celebration due to celebrating his mother-in-law's 100th birthday with family, but did get to enjoy some of culinary week events. He also requested the city Administrator to look into adding another restroom to Piccadilly Park due to long lines over the weekend.
Ad Hoc Committees - Report Out
Police Building Project Ad Hoc: Councilmember Baron announced another public ad hoc meeting on Thursday, June 6, at 3:30 p.m. to drscuss the police building facility assessment.
Flock Camera Ad Hoc. Councilmember Dramov announced a public meeting on June 10 at 4:00 p.m. and encouraged public attendance.
Fire and Ambulance Ad Hoc: Mayor Pro Tem Richards reported on the May 14 public meeting and the recommendation was for the City Administrator to revisit the 202112022 contract services with Monterey Fire.
Street Addresses Ad Hoc. Councilmember Ferlito provided an update on the committee's findings and requested an agenda item for the July City Council meeting to seek Council direction on street addresses.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 4, 2024
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 1 - Resolution 2024-042, authorizing the City Administrator to execute Amendment No.1 to the Agreement with Visit Carmel, a nonprofit corporation, for marketing services extending the term through June 30, 2027
City Administrator Rerig provided a summary of the item and requested Council to contlnue the city's relationship with the Visit carmel non-profit by extending the agreement for marketing services by adopting the Resolution.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards highlighted Visit Carmel's history and the benefits of its partnership with the City to attract visitors. Councilmember Dramov emphasized the need for more public input in visit carmel decisions, suggesting a 1-year renewal of the agreement instead of 3 years.
Councilmembers Baron and Ferlito expressed support for renewing the agreement with Visit Carmel.
Motion by councilmember Baron to adopt Resolution 2024-042, 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
lnformation systems Manager Joel staker gave a brief summary of the item giving reasons for executing an agreement to replace old firewalls with new firewalls to keep the city protected from hackers and ransomware.
Public comment
None
Public Comment:
Andi Carr
Kristi Reimers
Amy Hezog
Rob O'Keefe
Item 2 - Resolution 2024-043, authorizing the City Administrator to execute an agreement with Keep lt Simple for the installation and configuration of network firewalls and associated switching hardware in a total amount not to exceed $109,998 for a contract term ending July 30,2O2g City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 4, 2024
Motion by councilmember Baron to adopt Resolution 2024-043, authorizing execution of an agreement with Keep lt Simple for the installation of network firewalls and associated switching hardware in an amount not to exceed $109,998 for a contract term ending July 30, 2029, seconded by Mayor Potter d 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
Environmental Programs Manager Mary Bilse gave a brief overview of the item Public Comment
None
Mayor Pro Tem Richards requested clarification on who pays for the study that lustifies the Green Waste franchise cost increases. He stated that annual cost increases are a concern for residents who already pay significantly for weekly trash pickup, with no option to lower costs or exit the contract. Councilmember Ferlito noted that trash service costs in Carmel are higher because the contract includes the service of trash collectors pulling cans from yards, which residents appreciate.
Motion by Mayor Potter to adopt Resolution 2024-044, approving a 3.59 percent rate increase by the City's franchised hauler, GreenWaste Recovery, and approving Amendment No. 3 to the Memorandum of Understanding between ReGen Monterey for Fiscal Year 2024125, seconded by Councilmember Baron, 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
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 4 - Resolution 2024-046 Adopting the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Appropriations Limit Assistant City Manager Brandon Swanson gave a brief summary of the item Item 3 - Resolution 2024-044 approving a 3.59 percent rate increase to charges by the City's franchised hauler, GreenWaste Recovery, for the collection of solid waste, recycling and organics, effective July 1, 2024, and approving Amendment No. 3 to the Memorandum of Understanding between ReGen Monterey and Member Agencies for Fiscal Year 2024125 Public Comment
None
Motion by Mayor Potter to adopt Resolution 2024-046, Adopting the Fiscal Yeat 2024-2025 Appropriations Limit, seconded by Councilmember Baron, and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gouncilmembers Baron, Dramov, Ferlito, Richards, and Mayor Potter NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 5 - Resolution 2024-047 Adopting the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Operating and Capital Budget
Public Comment:
Tasha Witt
Andi Carr
Greg Ahn
Richard Kreitman
Rob O'Keefe
Mayor Potter emphasized the City's fiscal responsibility post-pandemic, leading to stability and a healthy budget. He highlighted smart planning for the future reflected in the proposed budget.
Councilmember Baron said the use of the prior years'fund balance for catching up on past CIP pro;ects and infrastructure repairs should be seen as a benefit to the entire community. He clarified that staff works under Council policy direction, not independently creating the budget.
Councilmember Dramov suggested using the fund balance for the police station and urged careful consideration of tax discussions.
Motion by Mayor Potter to adopt Resolution 2O24-O47, Adopting the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annuat Operating and Capital Budget, seconded by Gouncilmember Ferlito, and approved 4-1-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Ferlito, Richards, and Mayor Potter NOES: Councilmember Dramov
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 4, 2024
Assistant City Manager Swanson gave a presentation on the item and outlined the changes made to the recommendedFY 2024-2025 budget based on the direction received at the last workshop.
He thanked the public for submitting so many great questions which were answered by staff and included in the budget booklet. He answered questions from Council.
City Council Regular l\ileeting Minutes - June 4, 2024
Item 6 - Resolution 2024-048 adopting Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Fee schedule for Administrative services, community Planning and Building, public Safety and public works services Assistant City Administrator Swanson gave a brief summary of the item and answered questions from Council. He highlighted that the dead tree removal fee was lowered to $200, which is less than the cost of providing the service.
Public Comment
None
councilmember Dramov expressed concerns about high appeal costs and public feedback on high fees and said she does not support the updated fee schedule. Councilmember Baron clarified that service fees are set to ensure the city breaks even, with some fees lower than actual costs.
He emphasized the city's responsibiljty to recover service costs.
Motion by councilmember Ferlito to adopt Resolution 2024-04g, adopting Fiscal year 2024- 2025 Fee schedule for Administrative services, community planning and Building, public safety and Public works services, seconded by Mayor pro Tem Richards, and approved 4-1-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Ferlito, Richards, and Mayor pofter NOES: Councilmember Dramov
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 7 - First Reading and lntroduction of ordinance No. 2024-001, adding chapter 8.30 to Ti e 8 to the carmel-bythe-sea Municipal code regarding a policy related to the use of Military Equipment by the Carmel-by{he-Sea Police Department
Public Comment:
Christy Hollenbeck
Sylvia
Dave
Chris Cavgar
City Attorney Pierik read the title of the Ordinance
Police chief Paul romasi presenled an overview of Assembly Bill 4gl , rts compliance requirements, as well as the police department's military equipment use police, and the draft ordinance on military equipment use. He clarified that while the city does not own or plan to acquire any military equipment, a policy must be adopted due to the city's partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Regional special Response Unit (MPRSRU), which has access to such equipment, and provides added transparency to the public. chief romasi also answered questions from the Council.
City Council Regular Meeting lrilinutes - June 4, 2024
Motion by Councilmember Baron to read by title only, waive full reading, and introduce Ordinance 2024-001, adding Chapter 8.30 to Title I to the Carmet-by-the-Sea Municipat Code regarding a policy related to the use of Military Equipment by the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department; and set a second reading for July 8,2024. Motion 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
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned the meeting al7'.11 p.m
SIGNED
Do*/r
Dave Potter, Mayor Nova Rom M[/lOrC lerk
ATTEST: ..'