CITY OF CARMEL.BY-THE€EA
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers at 4:30 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Alissandra Dramov, Mayor Pro Tem Delves, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Acting City Administrator Brandon Swanson led the pledge of allegiance.
EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS
Carmel High School Report Out - Drew Galy, CHS ASB President, provided a report on last month's high schoolevents, sports, and programs to Council.
Nonprofit Spotlight: Carmel Art Association - Joaquin Taylor presented an overview of the Carmel Art Association, its history, and recent challenges with the construction next to their building.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Linda Califiore
Cindy Lloyd
Donna Jett
Theresa Buccola
Vinz Koller
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Acting City Administrator: thanked City staff, Public Safety, Public Works, CERT and VIPS volunteers, the Carmel Foundation, and the Carmel Youth Center for their coordinated response during the December storms, noting that it demonstrated strong community collaboration.
Gity Attorney: no reports.
Councilmember Announcements:
Councilmembers expressed appreciation to City staff, volunteers, and community partners for storm response efforts, including staffing warming and charging centers and conducting welfare checks during the holiday period.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - January 13,2026
Mayor Pro Tem Delves announced that the draft street address map is available on the City's website with a disclaimer noting addresses are not yet adopted, and that a public open house will be held on January 23,2026.
Councilmember Baron commended Administrative Analyst Emily Garay for her work on the interactive draft street address maps.
CONSENT AGENDA
Public comment: none
Motion by Councilmember Baron to approve consent agenda items #1-2, seconded by Councilmember Buder, and passed 5-0-0-0 by the following roll callvote:
AYES: Gouncilmembets Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 1 - Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance2025-005 Adding Chapter 12.50 to the City Municipal Code Prohibiting Playing Pickleball and Other Paddle Sports in Forest Hill Park; and consideration of related CEQA exemptions (i.e., Common Sense Exemption [CEOA Guidelines $ 15061(bx3)l and Class 1 Existing Facilities Categorical Exemption [CEQA Guidelines S 153011) - Approved 5-O-O-0
Item 2 - Second reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-006 amending City of Carmel-bytheSea Municipal Code Section 15.55.100 for address identification pursuant to the California Building Standards Codes - Approved &O-O-0
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 3 - First reading and lntroduction of Ordinance No. 2026-001 amending Carmel-bythe-Sea Municipal Code Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) by adopting the 2025 editions of the California Administrative Code, California Building Code (CBC) and appendices, California Residential Code CRC), California Energy Code (CEnC), California Fire Code (CFC), California Mechanical Code (CMC), California Plumbing Code (CPC), California Electrical Code (CEC), California Green Building Standards Code (CGBSC), Historic Building Code (HBC), Existing Building Code (EBC) and Wildland-Urban lnterface Code (WUl) and 2024lnternational Property Maintenance Codes (IPMC) with local amendments
City Building OfficialJermel Laurie presented the item and summarized key changes in the Code updates. City Attorney Pierik noted an administrative clarification would be required at second reading to reconcile recently adopted address identification code amendments. Councilrequested that this clarification be clearly identified in the staff report for the second reading.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - January 13,2026
Public Comment:
None
Council discussed Wildland-Urban lnterface (Wul) provisions and potential future refinements.
Staff advised the Ordinance could be adopted as presented, with further recommendations to return from the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee.
City Attorney Pierik read the title of the Ordinance.
Motion by Gouncilmember Baron, to waive full reading, and introduce Ordinance. No. 2026- 001, and pass to a second reading next month, with the administrative changes as explained by the City Aftorney, 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
Acting City Administrator Swanson thanked and welcomed Fire Chief Patick Moore.
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 4 - Resolution 2026-007 adopting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Carmel Police Officers Association (POA) for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 authorizing the City Administrator to execute the MOU, and adopting the classifications salary plan
Acting Assistant City Administrator Marisa Bermudez presented proposed MOU. Council discussed staffing levels and parking enforcement coverage.
Public comment:
None
Councilthanked staff for negotiating the agreement and noted the importance of adequate staffing to reduce overtime and burnout.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to adopt Resolution 2026-007 adopting an MOU between the City and Garmel Police Officers Association for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, and adopting the classifications salary plan, 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
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - January 13,2026
RECESS
Counciltook a recess at 5:50 p.m. and returned at 6:02 p.m Item 5 - Consider adoption of Resolution 2026-008 adopting a Roofing Materials Policy regarding roofing materials, including but not limited to metal roofs Associate Planner Jake Olander presented the proposed Roofing Materials Policy intended to expand allowable roofing materials, improve fire safety options, and streamline administrative approval for certain reroofing projects, while reserving Planning Commission review for nonconforming proposals. Staff explained that the policy builds on the City's existing alternate roofing materials guidance and reflects input from the Planning Commission and the Design Traditions Steering Committee. He brought in roof sample materials for Council and public to view during a break before discussion.
RECESS
Counciltook a recess at 6:15 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers asked questions regarding the purpose and scope of the policy, including whether it was intended primarily to define allowable materials or to clarify approval authority between administrative review and Planning Commission review. Councilalso discussed howthe proposed policy interacts with existing Municipal Code provisions and Design Guidelines, and whether adoption of the policy would establish substantive standards or a review process.
Public comment:
Jill Petker
Karen Ferlito
Nancy Twomey
Maria Ruess
Erik Dyar
Councilmembers expressed concerns regarding the proposed color palette, noting that several colors labeled as "earth tones" did not appear consistent with traditional roof materials or community character. Councilmember Buder raised concerns about the lack of clear guidance for applicants regarding which materials and colors would be administratively approvable, and questioned whether the policy provided sufficient clarity to avoid inconsistent interpretation.
Councilmember Baron raised concerns regarding the inclusion of certain roofing materials and the appropriateness of City Council findings in the accompanying resolution.
Staff acknowledged the concerns and proposed revisions, including refining the color palette, adding clearer "safe harbor" guidance identifying materials eligible for administrative approval, clarifying the policy's purpose and scope, and revising the resolution language accordingly. Staff also recommended returning the revised policy to the Planning Commission for review prior to bringing it back to the City Council.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - January 13,2026
Council gave consensus direction for staff to provide additional staff support over the next month to refine the policy, request Planning Commission feedback on preferred guideline versions, and return to Councilwith next steps.
RECESS
Counciltook a recess at7:40 pm and returned at 8:10 pm.
Item 6 - Receive an update on the Design Traditions 1.5 Prqect, and provide feedback and direction to staff
Acting City Administrator Swanson provided an update on the Design Traditions 1.5 project, including background on the development of the guidelines and the current draft prepared by the Design Traditions Steering Committee. He requested Council feedback regarding the usability, organization, completeness, and next steps for advancing the project.
Public comment:
Nancy Twomey
Linda Califiore
Jill Petker
Erik Dyar
MelAhlborn
Victoria Beach
Mayor Pro Tem Delves emphasized the importance and function of the Design Guidelines for Planning Commission reviews and as a resource for applicants, homeowners, designers, and contractors. He favored the prior draft prepared by consultant Nore \Mnter and stressed the necessity of Planning Commission involvement and agreement, as they are key to implementation.
Councilmember Dramov acknowledged the Steering Committee draft's value in providing historical context and guiding principles but expressed concerns about its length, organization, and user-friendliness. Councilmembers Buder and Dramov highlighted outstanding issues requiring attention in the guidelines, including fire safety, accessory dwelling units, roof and fencing materials, and recent policy changes like street address numbering. Councilmember Buder proposed setting a firm deadline for the Steering Committee's draft, after which Staff could finalize the document for Planning Commission review and City Council approval.
Councilmember Baron expressed disappointment that the project has taken four years. He called for clearer project management, a defined scope, increased staffing support, and a realistic timeline for completion. He favored disbanding the Steering Committee, having Staff finish their preferred version of the guidelines, implementing project check-ins with the Council, and providing the document to the Planning Commission for final City Council approval by October.
Mayor Byrne agreed on the need for more project checkpoints and a dedicated project manager to keep the work on track. He said that whichever draft is selected to move forward, Nore Winter's or the Steering Committee's, it's clear that the guidelines must be practical, user-friendly, and City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - January 13,2026
consistent with the Municipal Code while maintaining design review flexibility.
Council reached a consensus to direct Staff to take the following actions:
1. Surge Staffing Support toward the Design Traditions 1.5 project over the next month.
2. Solicit Feedback from the Planning Commission regarding their prefened guideline structure and content.
3. Return to the City Council with recommendations for next steps and a proposed path forward.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:02 pm
APPROVED:
Dale Byrne, Mayor
ATTEST:
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