CITY OF GARMEL-BY.THE.SEA
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 12,2026
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers at 3:00 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Alissandra Dramov, Mayor Pro Tem Delves, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
CONSENT AGENDA
Public comment: None
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to approve consent agenda items #1-6, seconded by Councilmember Dramov and passed 5-0-0-0 by the following roll callvote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 1 - December 1,2025, Special Meeting Minutes, and December 2,2025, Regular Meeting Minutes - Approved *0-0-0
Item 2 - November 2025 Monthly Reports - Approved 5-0-0-0 Item 3 - November 2025 Check Register Summary - Approved 5-O-A0 Item 4 - Resolution 2026-001 authorizing a free use day of the Sunset Center Theater for the Carmel Public Library Foundation's Annual Fundraising Benefit on Tuesday, April 28,2026 - Approved 5-0-0-0
Item 5 - Resolution 2026-002 adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget schedule - Approved 5-O-0-0
Item 6 - Resolution 2026-005, authorizing the City Administrator to execute a contract with Tombleson lncorporated in the amount of $90,683 for the Forest Theater Stage Repairs Project, plus a 15% contingency ($13,602), for a total Not-To-Exceed amount of $104,285 - Approved * 0-0-0
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - January 12,2026
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 7 - Appoint the Mayor Pro Temporefor 2026
Mayor Byrne appointed Councilmember Delves as the Mayor Pro Tempore for 2026.
Item 8 - Presentation Regarding Pension Liability and Section 115 Trust Overview Dan Matusiewicz gave a presentation regarding the City's Pension Liability and Section 115 Trust.
Public Comment:
Nancy Twomey
Councilmembers asked questions and provided comments. Councilmember Baron requested additional information showing year-to-year balances of the Section 1 15 Trust and suggested the Council discuss the item further at a future meeting. No action was taken.
Item 9 - Receive the First Tri-Annual Budget Report for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 Finance Director Jayme Fields presented the first tri-annual update on the FY 2025-2026 budget (July 1 - October 31, 2025). Finance Director Jayme Fields reported that the budget is healthy, on track, and that no adjustments are recommended at this time. Public Works Director Ken \A/ysockialso provided an update on FY 2025-2026 Capital lmprovement Program (ClP) projects.
Councilmember Buder summarized the work of the Financial Stewardship Ad Hoc Committee, including improvements to financial reporting, better CIP tracking, development of an online financial dashboard, discussion of unfunded pension liability, consolidation of reserves, and implementation of a financial policy dedicating 10o/o of revenues to capital projects. Mayor Pro Tem Delves outlined future focus areas of the Ad Hoc, including deferred maintenance, operational efficiencies, revenue options, potential budget cycle changes, performance metrics, and enhanced reporting.
Councilmembers expressed concern regarding the timeline for certain CIP projects, including the 1Oth and 12th Street stairways and the sand ramp project. Staff explained that project timelines have been affected by staffing limitations, the complexity of technical studies, and the need to pursue longer-term solutions. Staff noted that some CIP projects were initially underestimated and underfunded, contributing to delays, and discussed potential staffing and organizational adjustments to improve project delivery.
Public comment:
Jim Beck
Maria Ruess
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - January 12,2026
Council thanked staff for the clarity and transparency of the budget and CIP presentations, expressed confidence in staffs progress, and acknowledged ongoing challenges related to unfunded liabilities and Public Works staffing capacity. Council also discussed the importance of early consideration of potential future revenue options, including a Transient Occupancy Tax ballot measure discussion on a future agenda so there is enough time to prepare.
RECESS
Counciltook a recess al5:22 pm and returned at 5:30 pm
Item 10 - Resolution 2026-004, authorizing the City Administrator to execute a contract with Color New Corp in the amount of $188,000 for the Sunset Center Phase ll Painting Project, plus a 15% contingency ($28,200), for a total Not-To-Exceed amount of $216,200 Project Manager Tom Ford gave a presentation on the item and answered questions from Council.
Public comment: None
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to adopt Resolution 2026-004, authorizing a contractwith Color New Gorp for a total not to exceed amount of $216,200 for the Sunset Center Phase ll Painting Proiect, seconded by Councilmember Dramov, and passed 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 11 - Adopt Resolution 2026-006 authorizing the City Administrator to spend up to $150,000 for the purchase of a replacement ambulance
Acting Assistant City Administrator Marisa Bermudez presented the item and answered questions from Council. She explained that the purchase cost would be partially offset by the sale of two older ambulances and that the funds would be used to purchase a used or smaller Type 3 ambulance to supplement the new Type 1 ambulance already approved and expected to arrive in April. She also confirmed that the Type 3 ambulance would be fully equipped with necessary lifesaving equipment
Public comment:
Cindy Lloyd
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - January 12,2026
Motion by Gouncilmember Baron to adopt Resolution 2026-006 authorizing the City Administrator to spend up to ${50,000 for a new ambulance, seconded by Councilmember Buder, and passed 5-0-0-0 by the following roll callvote:
AYES: Gouncilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item l2 - Authorize the Mayor and the City Administrator to Sign a Letter of Support to Remove the State Water Resources Control Board Moratorium on Water Meter Installation Acting City Administrator Swanson gave a brief summary of the item.
Public comment:
Nancy Twomey
Motion by Councilmember Baron to authorize the Mayor and the City Administratorto sign a letter of support to remove the State Water Resources Control Board Moratorium on Water Meter lnstallation, seconded by Gouncilmember Buder and passed 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 13 - Resolution 2026-003 making two (2) appointments to the Harrison Memorial Library (HML) Board of Trustees
Mayor Byrne presented the item and recommended two candidates for appointment to the Library Board to fill two vacant seats and restore the Board to a fullfive-member body.
Public comment:
Cindy Lloyd
Joe DiNucci
Councilmembers Baron, Dramov, and Buder discussed the qualifications of the applicants, including former Trustee John Krisher, and expressed differing views regarding the proposed appointments. Council reached a consensus on one of the recommended candidates, resulting in a motion that amended the Resolution presented.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - January 12,2026
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to revise the Resolution, to appoint one of the nominees, Joe DiNucci, to the HML Library Board, and to adopt the revised Resolution 2026-003, seconded by Councilmember Dramov, and passed 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
RECESS
Council took a recess at 6:11 pm and returned at 6:20 p.m.
Item 14 - Discussion and Direction Regarding City CouncilAd Hoc and Steering Committees Mayor Byrne presented an overview of the item and his recommendations regarding the City Council's Ad Hoc Committees, and City Steering Committees.
Public Comment:
Nancy Twomey
Tim Twomey
Maria Ruess
Councilmembers discussed the structure, purpose, and composition of the Council ad hoc committees, including distinctions between ad hoc, standing, and steering committees, and the importance of clarity regarding Council appointments, staff participation, and public membership.
Council emphasized the need to avoid overlapping roles and to ensure committees are appropriately structured and time-limited.
Council reviewed each existing ad hoc and committee and provided consensus direction as follows:
o Financial Stewardship Ad Hoc: Continue as an ad hoc committee forthe current budget cycle, and schedule a future discussion and resolution to formally establish a Financial Stewardship Standing Committee following completion of the budget process. o Library Centennial Restoration Project Committee: Maintain the committee as structured in the existing MOU between the City and the Carmel Public Library Foundation. Direct staff to review the MOU.
a Parking Solutions Ad Hoc: Sunset; topic will be discussed at the Priorities Workshop. o Pickleball Research Ad Hoc: Never was formally established; sunset.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes - January 12,2026
o Public Works and Police Building Project Ad Hoc: Sunset. Direct staff to return at a future meeting to appoint two Councilmembers to work with staff on formation of an RFP review committee.
o Strategic Priorities Organization Ad Hoc: Sunset. Direct staff to discuss at the upcoming Strategic Priorities Workshop if needed.
o Street Address Working Group: Sunset, as its work has been completed and the project is now in staffs hands.
o Wildfire Preparedness Gommittee: Continue as cunently structured, with direction to revisit in approximately six months.
o Design Traditions 1.5 Steering Committee: Scheduled for discussed at the January 13, 2026, meeting.
o Carmel Urban Forest Master Plan Steering Commiftee: Continue as currently structured.
o AHA Group: Continue discussion at a future meeting. Council directed staff to explore limiting staff participation, and to return with options for a potential housing commission following consideration of the Housing Element amendment. o Climate Committee: Keep the Committee, with furtherdiscussion regarding membership, scope, and objectives. Climate Committee will be revisited at the Strategic Priorities Workshop, and a future resolution may be required to address committee composition.
Councilmembers also discussed broader organizational concepts, including potential future restructuring of advisory bodies, for consideration at a later date.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm
APPROVED: ATTEST:
;1
Dale Byrne, Mayor Nova