CITY OF CARMEL.BY.THE.SEA
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 27 , 2025
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order at '10:00 a.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Alissandra Dramov, Mayor Pro Tem Delves, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item I - Status Report and Policy Guidance on Carmel Police and Public Works Building Project City Administrator Chip Rerig introduced the presentation, emphasizing the need for additional time for the project architect and encouraging Council and public feedback.
Project Architect, John Hammond, presented prior Council direction, design considerations, and operational needs. He outlined the project plan and discussed possible reductions in the two buildings. He summarized future steps include refining the Conceptual Program and Building Design.
Councilmember Dramov asked about the need for the Community Room and gym, and if the space is too large given Carme's current reduced policing model. Chief Tomasi said the Community Room, which would double as an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), could be removed if needed, and the option of having a gym is up for discussion. He also noted that staffing levels could grow and that volunteers also use the space. Mayor Byrne asked about relocating the Public Works corporation yard to Rio Park. Mr. Hammond said it wasn't necessary but noted it could impact the Junipero site's appearance. Mayor Byrne also suggested a shared EOC with nearby cities, which Chief Tomasi confirmed was possible, citing Pacific Grove's partnership with Monterey. Councilmember Buder asked if the reduced space plan would meet long term needs.
Mr. Hammond responded that future needs were hard to predict due to changing operations.
Chief Tomasi detailed potential safety and security upgrades for the current buildings, estimating costs between $215,000 and $240,000, excluding essential infrastructure repairs City Administrator Rerig emphasized that while upgrades address safety, fundamental operational issues remain, raising concerns about investing in a suboptimal building.
Public Comment:
lan Martin
Andi Carr
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - March 27 , 2025
Nancy Twomey
Mel Ahlborn
Karyl Hall
Donna Jet
Council discussion resumed. Councilmember Dramov opposed continuing with lndigo or Mr.
Meurer, advocating for a community-driven, budget-conscious design. Councilmember Delves raised fiscal concerns, prioritizing salaries and benefits over facilities, and opposed the current project cost and suggested repairing critical elements instead.
Councilmember Buder favored a broader conversation about the long{erm need for a police department before finalizing any building plans. Councilmember Baron highlighted the importance of reviewtng the requirements list before altering the building size and suggested relocating some department functions to other public buildings.
The Council reached a consensus to reevaluate the facility's needs and financial feasibility and directed the following steps:
. Form an ad hoc committee (Mayor Byrne and Councilmember Baron) to review community input and project needs.
. Have Chip Rerig compile a summary of police department requirements and legal obligations.
. Extend consultant support for an additional 60 days for further analysis. . Plan to revisit the project discussion by late May or early June.
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned at 12:03 p.m
Dale Byrne, Mayor
ATTEST: I { j
orm ecording Secretary
APPROVED,