CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE€EA
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, June 2,2025
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Byme called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Alissandra Dramov, Mayor Pro Tem Delves, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmembers pulled items #6 and #7 for discussion
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to approve consent agenda items #1-5, and #8-11, seconded by Councilmember Buder, and approved 5-{r-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item I - May 5,20, &21 Special Meeting Minutes, and May 6,2025, Regular Meeting Minutes - Approved 5-GG0
Item 2 - April 2025 Monthly Reports - Apprcved +GGo
Item 3 - April 2025 Check Register Summary - Approved *O0-0 Item 4 - Lefter authorizing the County of Monterey to execute all documents necessary to continue to implement the annual Used Oil Payment Program on behalf of the City during Fiscal Year 2025126 - Approved &AGo
Item 5 - Resolution 2O25-O43, authorizing a Free Use Day of the Sunset Center Theater and Lobby for the Carmel Foundation's Annual Meeting and 75th Anniversary Celebration on September 24,2025 Approved *0-G0
Item 8 - Resolution 2025-047 approving a list of streets to be resurfaced in Fiscal Year 2025126 partially funded by SB1: The Road Repair and Accountability Ad of 2017 . Approved 5-0-0-0 Item 9 - Resolution 2O25-O48, Modifying Policy C94-01 'Financial Policies'for updates to the City's Budgetary Guidelines and Reserve Policies Approved SO-GO City Council Special Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2025
Item 10 - Resolution 2025-049, rescinding a Notice of Merger recorded with the County on July 14,2004 (Monterey County Recorder Document No. 2004073684), and approving a Land Use Regulatory Jurisdiction Agreement and Covenant and Agreement to Hold Property as One Parcels (City of CarmeFby{he-Sea (APN: 009-146-029) and Unincorporated Monterey County (APN: 009-'146-028)). Proposed CEQA Action: Find the action to be'not a project' pursuant to section 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines. Approved 5-0-0-0
Item ll - Adopt Resolution 2025-050 Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute Amendment No. 1 to a Professional Services Agreement with Regional Government Services Authority for a not-to-exceed amount of Seventy Eight Thousand Dollars ($78,000.00) and extending the term through June 30, 2026 for payroll consulting services. Approved &o-GO
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
Item 6 - Resolution 2025-044 authorizing the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 to the construction contracl with Coastal Paving & Excavating, lnc., for added construction services associated with the Drainage System Repairs Projects in the amount of $95,190.57 Councilmember Buder and Mayor Byrne asked Project Manager Javier Hemandez about the 1 1th Ave and Carmelo drainage project's scope change and potholing. Hernandez explained old utility infrastructure can reveal additional issues and City staff will see if they can fix some of the cracking and potholes in t he area.
Public comment:
Steven McClellan
Shirley Moon
Victoria Beach
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to adopt Resolution 2O25-O44, authorizing Amendment No. 1 to construction contract with Coastal Paving & Excavating for the Drainage System Repairs Project, seconded by Councilmember Baron and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 7 - Resolution 2025-046, authorizing a cost sharing agreement between the City of CarmelBy-the-Sea and County of Monterey for the pavement rehabilitation of the portion of Ocean Avenue between just west of Cabrillo Highway, California State Route 1, also known as Pacific Coast Highway and Carpenter Street, with a budget of $400,000.00.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2025
Councilmember Buder sought clarification on Ocean Avenue paving cost-sharing. City Administrator Rerig confirmed the County will fully reimburse the City for paving include City employee salary costs. Mayor Byrne thanked John Comer and City staff for facilitating the agreement.
Public comment: None
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to approve Resolution 2025.0,46, authorizing a cost sharing agreement between the City of Carmel-By-the-Sea and County of Monterey for the pavement rehabilitation of Ocean Avenue, seconded by Gouncilmember Baron, and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 12 - Resolution 2025-051 ratifying appointments to the Community Activities Commission, Harrison Memorial Library Board of Trustees, Historic Resources Board, and the Forest and Beach Commission
City Clerk Romero gave a brief presentation on the background of the Board and Commission application and appointment process, and read the names ofthe applicants recommended by the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for appointment to each Board and Commission vacancy.
Councilmember Buder, supported by Councilmembers Baron and Dramov, advocated for John Krisher to remain on the HML Board due to his experience and advocacy during the Library Renovation Project. Mayor Pro Tem Delves and Mayor Byrne acknowledged the difficulty of choosing from 17 qualified applicants, thanking all who applied.
Public Comment:
Nancy Twomey
Motion by ilayor Pro Tem Delves to approve Resolution 2025451, ratifying appointments to various boards and commissions, seconded by ilayor Byrne.
Councilmember Baron disagreed with Billy Farina's recommended appointment to the HML Board of Trustees, and made a substltute motion to appoint all recommended applicants except Biily Farina, seconded by Councilmember Buder.
Mayor Byrne and Mayor Pro Tem Delves opposed the substitute motion, stating that their recommendation to appoint Billy Farina to the Harrison Memorial Library Board stood, despite the difficulty of the decision to not reappoint an incumbent.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2025
Motion by Councilmember Baron to appoint all of the recommended applicants for appointsnent except for Billy Farina, seconded by Councilmember Buder, and approved 3- 2-0-O by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Dramov
NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Delves, Mayor Byrne
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Byrne said that the appointment to the HML Board of Trustees for the remaining seat will be brought back to Council on a future agenda.
Item 13 - Discuss City Policy C89-02: City Council Meetings, Orders of Council, Agenda Packets, Minutes of Meeting and Agenda Distribution, and consider Motion to approve proposed changes to Policy or provide other direction to the City Administrator City Attorney Pierik gave a brief overview of the item and answered questions from Council Public comment
Maria Ruess
Councilmember Baron expressed support for retaining language stating that the Mayor sets the agenda and opposed removing that provision. He also recommended that public comments be heard after Council questions but before Council discussion. Additionally, he advocated for a later meeting curfew, noting that most other cities set theirs later than 9:30 p.m. He added that scheduling appeal hearings on separate dates could help the Council conclude business within the curfew and allow for a vote to extend if needed.
Councilmember Buder agreed that the policy should specify the agenda is set by the Mayor or their designee. He also suggested including a dinner break during longer meetings.
Councilmember Dramov supported specifying that the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem are responsible for setting the agenda.
Mayor Byrne asked whether the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem could review the final draft of the agenda packet before publication.
The Council agreed to remove proposed changes #1 and #9 from the draft revised policy. Council also supported including a 30-minute recess during long meetings, with Councilmember Baron suggesting the timing of the break remain flexible.
City Attorney Pierik and City Administrator Rerig acknowledged the Council's direction and confirmed they would present the revised policy, incorporating the feedback, for formal adoption by Resolution at a future meeting.
RECESS
Council took a recess at 6:00 p.m. and returned to the dais at 6:'10 pm City Council Special Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2025
Item 14 - Receive a presentation, discuss, and provide direction on options related to parking management in the City
Councilmember Dramov raised a concern about discussing an item that did not include a staff report or attachments in the agenda packet for public review. City Attorney Pierik clarified that it is the City's standard practice to include staff reports with agenda items. Mayor Byrne explained that the purpose of the item was to initiate a general discussion on parking management, with no decisions to be made. The Council agreed to proceed with the presentation.
Andrew Hooks and Steven Summers of National Parking and Valet presented a series of proposals aimed at improving parking management in the city, including:
o lmplementing a valet parking program
o Redesignating select spaces for compact vehicles
o Launching a paid parking pilot program near Del Mar Beach . Creating carpool options for employee parking
o Modification of recent 48413 parking spot changes currently designated loading zones or red zones.
o Providing shuttles or trolleys during peak events (e.9., Car Week) o Expanding off-street parking near the Forest Theater and Sunset Center o Utilizing private/church lots for valet services
o Outsourcing parking enforcement
o Enforcing stricter traffic control for construc{ion sites and limiting overlapping projects Councilmember Dramov requested an update from the Police Chief on the implementation of A8413 changes and asked for Police Department feedback on proposals related to speed limits and parking space dimensions. Chief Tomasi agreed to return with updates and suggested including Streets Superintendent Rob Culver in future discussions. He emphasized the need for additional public input and noted that the Traffic Safety Committee reviews related topics, such as parking, traffic control, and speed studies, on a quarterly basis.
Public comment:
No name
Joe DiNucci
Scott French
Katie Enea
Kevin Ruess
Randall Burnett
Maria Ruess
Cindy Lloyd
lan Martin
Nancy Twomey
Canie Theis
Charles Najarian
Stephen Moorer
Karen Ferlito
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2025
Scott Mace
The City Council agreed that parking remains a major issue, with employee parking identified as a key area offocus. Councilmember Dramov cautioned against rushing into changes and stressed the importance of avoiding spillover into residential areas. She opposed shortening parking spaces, citing safety concerns. Mayor Pro Tem Delves highlighted Monterey-Salinas Transit's (MST) effective employee shuttle program as a potential model. Councilmember Buder supported exploring valet parking through a low-cost pilot program and suggested the use of high-speed golf carts for local shuttling. He emphasized prioritizing parking solutions, even if it requires shifiing other priorities.
Councilmember Baron noted that congestion is the broader issue and that increasing parking alone won't solve it. He reminded the Council that AB413 was designed to enhance pedestrian safety, not just reduce parking. He also expressed concems about residential parking and related safety issues.Mayor Byrne supported revisiting recent 48413-related parking changes and emphasized the potential for a cost-sharing valet contract that could generate revenue. He acknowledged concerns about congested residential streets impacting walkability.
Council consensus direction to staff:
. Add Parking Management to the Council Priorities list r Explore a pilot valet parking program
r Partner with the Carmel Chamber to address employee parking and outreach . Seek input from Public Safety and Public Works before modifying AB413 parking changes.
Council adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m
APPROVED ATTEST
ADJOURNMENT
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Dale Byrne, Mayor Nova 11*
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